A new supervisor is hired to anchor a gardening project that has fallen apart. The last supervisor walked out on job because he was overwhelmed with high expectations of project. The new supervisor is in charge of ten teenage workers, five young women and five young men, all of whom are not thrilled to be working on a summer day. As new replacement, supervisor is in charge of landscaping lawn and garden areas that garnish a business complex. The complex manager has informed supervisor that he has a three hour time limit to mow and trim lawn areas, weed out old plants and dead greenery, and replace them with a fresh array of tulip bulbs. By day’s end, supervisor has a $20 food budget to feed 10 workers on their lunch break. The summer heat is burning, and teenagers would rather be out by pool. Instead, they are required to sacrifice this day at work. The supervisor is overwhelmed with task, but motivated to assist with all responsibilities of his ten employees for next three hours.

What is this supervisor to do with limited time, resources, and not to mention, controlling ten wild teenagers who are not thrilled to be working while their peers are at play? Good training will assist him in completing his duties as supervisor of project.

Supervisor training involves motivation. Attitude, incentives and goal-setting will lighten up any burdensome task, and during hot afternoon, crew will need motivation to work.

• Attitude - It is important that supervisor is optimistic, especially in light of an arduous task. If supervisor reflects an optimistic attitude, his workers will be easily influenced.
• Incentives - Rewards do not have to be tangible; pats on back and encouraging words are just as enticing. When atmosphere is uplifting and when authority is not threatening, workers are more inclined to conform to their surroundings.
• Goal Setting - Making goals will help supervisor’s crew envision what they need to accomplish in order to be successful. When supervisor paints a picture of what needs to be done, goals are specific, and thus, easier to follow.

Supervisor training involves delegation. Delegation converts deadweight into useful energy. From a personal account, I previously worked under a great supervisor who delegated work responsibilities equally and fairly among his workers. He efficiently distributed work among his resources and that alleviated him from carrying entire workload. He would make assignments and follow up with everyone to make sure that all tasks have been properly completed.