Description
This is a coaching workbook designed for mentors of frontline supervisors in human services. It’s a guide to help supervisors “get off-track employees back on track” by developing foundational supervisory skills. The workbook is intended to facilitate a mentorship relationship between experienced senior supervisors and less experienced or aspiring frontline supervisors. The workbook is organized into a series of five mentor meetings (each meeting can easily be split into multiple shorter meetings), each with a specific focus:
- Mentor Meeting #1: Overview of supervisory skills for resolving off-track employee behaviors through effective supervision. It emphasizes that an effective supervisor works proactively to prevent issues and handles them confidently when they occur.
- Mentor Meeting #2: Focuses on building a strong foundation by clarifying roles and responsibilities to keep employees on track. It details the distinct roles of supervisors and employees, and highlights key supervisory actions like communicating performance standards and providing feedback.
- Mentor Meeting #3: Guides supervisors on how to have a productive meeting with an off-track employee. The meeting is broken down into four key elements: preparation, rules for the conversation, understanding the employee’s perspective, and maintaining consistency.
- Mentor Meeting #4: Deals with different types of off-track employees, including the low-capability, low-effort, and overly dependent employee. It teaches supervisors to assess the underlying causes of these behaviors and tailor their feedback and support accordingly.
- Mentor Meeting #5: Continues the discussion on different types of off-track employees, focusing on the unfocused, antagonistic, and drama-prone employee. It provides strategies for enhancing focus, de-escalating conflict, and maintaining professional boundaries.
