Although this blog is about leadership, I have lately become aware of the sometimes narrow gap between leadership and supervision. At one end, there is a great separation in that supervision is the tool which leads to the accomplishment of the vision (which comes from true leadership), at the other end, supervision is the tool which leads to the accomplishment of the vision. If this sounds the same, you are right. Without appropriate supervision, having great leadership is frustrating at best and pointless at worst. Without leadership, supervision flounders in direction and accomplishment. It is definitely a both/and proposition.
I've written a lot about leadership and will continue to do so, however, I want to take a moment to point out the importance of good supervision. I would also like to suggest that what is often identified as a lack of leadership is more often a lack of appropriate supervision. Supervisors know how to work with people to accomplish goals. They know how to prioritize, delegate, be accountable and hold others accountable. They have strong people skills and good organizational skills. They can communicate AND listen (this is really redundant since good communication always includes the ability to listen). The accept responsibility and avoid blame and CYB behaviors.
If leadership is the track, then the supervisor is the "little engine that could." They carry the weight of the organization and without them the organization is bogged down in inefficiencies and lack of focus.
So, while I am a firm believer that EVERYTHING rises and falls on Leadership, I recognize that sometimes that means appropriate supervision. Don't denigrate the manager/supervisor because they are not the "leader." Instead be thankful and encourage them in their role, for your organization rises and falls on their effectiveness just as much, or nearly so, as it does upon the leader.
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