While the examples in Fundamentals of Library Supervision by Joan Giesecke and Beth McNeil (American Library Association Editions, 2010, 2nd ed.) are in the academic realm, there is plenty of helpful information for all librarians who have or are interested in having a supervisory role.
The authors address topics such as communication skills, the art of motivation, hiring/interviewing, managing performance, and managing meetings. They also discuss the differences among the different generations of employees. As the authors state in the book’s preface, “Management used to be simple. The manager or supervisor told employees what to do and employees did what they were told. That world does not exist today….Managers need to balance production goals with concern for people issues in a continually changing setting” (ix).
If you are a supervisor or preparing to be a supervisor, what resources have been helpful to you?
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When I first started the supervisory position I’m in now, I went to a Fred Pryor seminar called “The Ultimate Supervisor” (or something like that). I expected it to be cheesy, but it actually was a very valuable training and helped me jump start my first management job.