Supervisor

It’s said that a watched pot never boils. What people fail to mention, however, is that the alternative — an unwatched pot — boils over and makes a big mess!

Because companies would rather see their waters simmer than seethe, they hire Supervisors to watch the proverbial pot.

When you’re one of those Supervisors, you’re paid to organize and oversee the employees in your department, keeping them productively on point and on task. Employed at all sizes of companies, in all types of professions, and in all types of industries, you’re equal parts manager and mentor, tasked with dictating, delegating, detecting, and defusing.

Deemed a leader in your department, you’re like the eldest sibling who’s been put in charge while Mom and Dad are out for the night. Among your most important duties: helping to hire and fire employees in your department; assigning projects, scheduling work, and delegating tasks; mediating employee conflicts; managing employee performance; communicating company news and objectives; arranging and administering employee training, development, and education; conducting performance reviews; enforcing company rules; approving employee time records and requests for time off; recognizing star performers with employee rewards; and disciplining employees when they break rules or demonstrate performance problems.

Although you’re a leader, you’re not yet a member of the upper management team. Instead, you’re a middle child who has more responsibility than a typical employee but not as much authority as a senior executive. Because Supervisor is the first rung on the management ladder, however, you’re definitely on your way to the top!