The 8 main functions of a supervisor

The functions of a supervisor They range from linking departments within an organization to coordinating and distributing tasks. Supervisors must master the subject of their work, build plans and have the ability to direct.

The word "supervise" derives from the Latin words Super, which means "about"; Y videre, which means "to see". Therefore, a supervisor is literally the one who sees a group of people from above.

A supervisor can have multiple roles; You can be an advisor, leader, team builder, or even a change agent within the company.

The groups that are directly linked to supervisors in a work environment are usually clients, collaborators, subordinates, management, management and other supervisors.

Main functions of a supervisor

1- Coordinate

In addition to combining two or more elements of the same hierarchical level, coordinating is monitoring the operational, organizational, logistical and administrative work of the company.

2- Link departments 

A supervisor must align the various areas and units towards the organization's objective. 

This serves to ensure that there is a link between the work, the actions and the decisions of all the individuals who work in the company..

3- Distribute the work

After carrying out the design of the jobs, the distribution of the same follows. This function is necessary for the creation of the teams.

The supervisor will define who is responsible for the activities, who to ask and who to inform, always taking care that the distribution of work is equitable.

4- Mediate and advise

Supervisors often resolve situations between employees and upper management. A supervisor can have an advisory and consultant role.

To be able to advise, it is necessary to have an expert opinion, with which you can influence another person in the field of decision-making.

Advising does not mean executing; however, good advice can influence the achievement of objectives.

5- Evaluate

This function refers to estimating the knowledge, skills and performance of the workers and the supervisor himself.

To do this, supervisors must know evaluation techniques. Some are job analysis, job performance measurement and testing, as well as identifying employee personality traits..

6- Manage conflicts

Coordinate, mediate or advise also implies that the supervisor must intervene when conflicts arise between employees, employees and clients or even between employees and the supervisor himself.. 

Your effectiveness will be determined based on how quickly you have resolved the conflict and with what satisfaction for all parties involved..

7- Manage schedules

The creation of work schedules, stipulating days off or distributing employee vacations is one of the main functions of the supervisor to achieve the well-being of all workers without affecting the efficiency of the business.

8- Promote communication

Agile communication between employees and the department increases the chances of success and comfort for everyone. In fact, if communication is efficient, the supervisor will not have the need to assume as many responsibilities or mediate between conflicts or problems..

For this reason, it is up to the supervisor to promote communication, both for the good of the company and for their own..

References

1. Editorial Pax México, "Role of the supervisor", Alfonso Jauregui, 2006.
2. National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico, "The supervisor and its functions within the business administration", 1965.
3. Karnac Books, “Supervisor Training: Issues and Approaches Volume 2 of Guide to supervision series”, Penny Henderson, 2009.
4. EUNED, "Management and supervision of educational centers", Manuel Lorenzo Delgado, 1998.
5. Editorial Limusa, “Administracion de Empresas / Business Administration, Volume 2
   Business Administration ”, Agustin Reyes, Agustín Reyes Ponce, 2002.
6. Editorial Limusa, "Applied Administration / Applied Management", Salvador Mercado, 2002.
7. Pearson Education ”Personnel Management”, Gary Dessler, 2001.