What Makes a Good Supervisor?

First of all, let me just say we are under a level 3 snow emergency here in Lucas County. I am working from home so although the office is closed I am still working. Although I am grateful that I do not have to go out in this snow today. Also, I do not have some clever way to relate this snow emergency or the picture to the topic of this post. I just wanted to show you the snow. 

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In a supervision group I was facilitating recently, we got on the discussion of work supervisors. I am not the work supervisor for anyone in this group so I thought it would be interesting to hear there responses on what makes a good supervisor. I believe it is good to hear from social workers what they think makes a good supervisor. As I said to the group, one day you will all be supervisors at some level so it is important to start developing your skills now. 

What makes a good supervisor?

• Someone who listens and validates. 
• Someone with a serving attitude. 
• Supportive, empowering, and strengths based.
• They are a leader instead of a "boss".
• Collaborative.
• Approachable- they are open to feedback.
• They act as a coach, mentor, and guide. 

Without prompting, these social workers shared qualities that are inherent in social work. Does this me all social workers make good supervisors? No, being a supervisor isn't for everyone. However, social workers do possess many of the skills they need to be good supervisors. 

For me, the one critical thing missing from this list is technical skills. Now I wouldn't expect that this group of social workers would say that during our conversation, but I do feel like the supervisor does need to possess the skills of what they are supervising. Is that common sense? Maybe, but I felt that any list needs to explicitly say that a good supervisor has the technical skills of related to they are supervising. 

So what about you, what qualities do you feel are needed to make a good supervisor? Do you agree or disagree with this list? Is there something critical that is missing?