Effective supervisors must have technical, human relations, administrative, conceptual, and political skills. It is most critical that supervisors use their emotions intelligently. Supervisors must understand the technical aspects of the work being performed. When attempting to manage job performance, understanding employee needs is essential. “People skills” help supervisors accomplish objectives with and through people. It is equally important for supervisors to understand the dynamics of the organization and to recognize organizational politics.

These skills are important to all levels of management. Most supervisors come to the job equipped with some of these skills. Supervisors have daily opportunities to apply managerial skills and must continually strive to develop them.

Blending these skills with a dose of common sense and applying them with maturity help accomplish organizational objectives and allow supervisors to stay on top of the job. Supervisors who effectively apply these skills can contribute suggestions to higher-level managers and can work in harmony with their colleagues. In short, skilled supervisors are candidates for advancement and additional job responsibilities. P-369