Supervision: Effective supervision involves using a range of empirically supported procedures to support and guide employees. Key aspects of supervision include:
Training: Provide evidence-based training to help employees acquire new skills and knowledge necessary for their roles.
Coaching: Use validated coaching methods to help employees apply their skills in the workplace and address performance challenges.
Feedback: Deliver feedback that is both research-supported and culturally sensitive to help employees improve and develop their potential.
Feedback
Feedback is a crucial element of performance management. To be effective, feedback should be:
Specific: Focus on observable and measurable behaviors. For example, rather than general praise, provide detailed feedback like, “Your reports are complete and well organized.”
Timely: Offer feedback promptly after the behavior occurs to clearly link behavior with its outcomes.
Constructive: Provide actionable insights that help the employee understand how to improve.
Supervisees/Staff Responsibilities
Supervisees/staff should:
Be Receptive to Feedback: Be open to receiving feedback and consider how it can be used for self-improvement.
Be Willing to Learn and Grow: Embrace new learning opportunities and development experiences.
Reinforcement Systems
Empirically validated reinforcement systems can effectively motivate employees and enhance performance. These systems may include:
Modeling: Demonstrate desired behaviors to provide clear examples for employees to follow.
Practice: Offer opportunities for employees to practice new skills in a supportive environment.
Feedback and Reinforcement: Combine feedback with reinforcement to encourage continued improvement.
Task Clarification: Ensure tasks and expectations are clearly defined to reduce ambiguity and enhance performance.
Manipulation of Response Effort: Adjust the effort required for tasks to match the employee’s capabilities and motivation levels.
Reinforcement systems should be tailored to meet the individual needs and cultural contexts of employees, ensuring they are both effective and meaningful.