New developments in supervisor training

Abstract

Supervisors in the 1990s will be challenged by a dynamic, shifting and shrinking workforce. The traditional white, male‐dominated workforce will become obsolete, with a more diverse workforce made up of females, minorities, the disabled and the elderly taking its place. Supervisor training is the answer to effectively managing these changes. Across the USA, many companies have implemented workplace diversity through extensive supervisor training programmes. These programmes address the importance of understanding each employee and how individual needs differ. With the real threat of a shrinking workforce ahead, employee retention becomes an additional focus. Traditional management styles are not as successful, with the new workforce as the “leader” or “coaching” styles of management. Companies which do not effectively train their supervisors to handle the needs of a variety of people and do not shift their management styles to accommodate the new workforce may struggle to stay afloat.