Chapter 1. Should You Be a Supervisor?

After you have finished reading this chapter, you should be able to (1) list a minimum of ten characteristics needed by a good supervisor and (2) identify which of these you can develop in yourself.

Patti drove home from her job with a financial institution feeling both elated and troubled. After less than two years with the firm, she had been offered a promotion to a supervisory role. Should she accept it? Manuel has been happy as a short-order chef for three years. Yesterday he was offered a position as night manager at a substantial increase in pay. Should he accept the challenge? Gerald was surprised when he was invited to apply for a management position with his electronics firm. Should he leave his highly paid, satisfying, skilled position for the headaches of management? Mrs. B reentered the labor market in the health care industry at the age of forty-three. After less than six months, she has been invited into management. Should she make the move? George has been encouraged to start thinking about a supervisory role with his national supermarket chain. Should he leave the security of his union for the problems of management?