When a Social Worker receives their independent/clinical credential the likelihood that they will advance into a supervisory role increases significantly. It is for that reason that the qualities of a good supervisor should be discussed during training supervision. The following are four qualities that make up a good Social Work Supervisor.
Trust: Perhaps the most important quality of a good supervisor is trust. The people who report to good supervisors trust that their supervisor is able to lead them, advocate for them, and respects them. When a supervisor does not have the trust of those they oversee it can be difficult to build a cohesive team because the individuals they must lead may have reservations about the abilities of their leader.
Timeliness: One of the most important tasks of a supervisor is to earn the trust of those who report to them, and one of the most effective ways to do earn trust is to show staff that they are respected. Being on time is one of the easiest ways for a supervisor to show those they manage that they are respected, and that their time is valued. While a once in awhile tardiness is forgivable, when a supervisor is frequently late to meetings it can convey to those around them that they do not value the time of others.
Transparency: This is a word frequently used in the workplace. Of the several definitions provided by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, in this context the the word means, “characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices.” While it can be difficult for a supervisor to tell those they supervise all things immediately, it should be understood that a supervisor will notify supervisees of all need to know information as soon as possible (which includes issues related to job performance). When a supervisor is not transparent this can severely undermine any work that has been done to build trust.
Training: Good supervisors take the training of their staff seriously. This means allowing adequate time and opportunity for new staff to learn the job, providing educational experiences to long term staff, and also ensuring that they themselves are staying current with the latest information in their field of practice. When a supervisor takes a vested interest in the training and educating of those whom they support it can often lead to less staff turnover and greater workplace satisfaction.
Because of the increased opportunity for Social Workers with clinical level credentials to move into supervisory roles, it is incredibly important to discuss topics related to the management and supervision of others in training supervision. While the qualities discussed in this article are not an exhaustive list, they are a great place to start the conversation for those currently receiving training supervision. If you are looking for training supervision please reach out to your local NASW branch or state licensing board for a list of Social Workers who can provide training supervision.
Please leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts on this article and be sure to visit the Be Supervised blog (https://besupervised.blogspot.com )for other helpful articles related to Social Work supervision.
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