The Supervisory and Management Skills Program


This NMA training program for first and middle-level managers provides 140 hours of comprehensive, interactive productive instruction. One will find a planned sequence of modularly constructed courses covering the ten most frequently mentioned training needs of management. However, courses can be taked out-of-order.

This program, originally titled THE FIRST LINE SUPERVISOR PROGRAM, has been revised and updated. NMA's membership base has grown to include managers from a variety of disciplines, and these revisions reflect and address the concerns of this emerging diversity of members. The change in title to THE SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAM likewise signifies that shift in emphasis.

Each of the ten (10) courses is designed to be taught by interactive discussion group techniques in seven (7), two-hour sessions. The courses are designed with leader guides and videotapes that will produce the maximum amount of learning for each participant. Each course carries 1.4 CEU's.

In addition, the American Council on Education (an independent agency that reviews non-collegiate training courses and recommends the level of credit and subject areas in which credit should be granted) has reviewed the program. The ACE publication The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs is used by more than 2000 colleges and universities throughout the United States. The council has recommended 9 semester hours of baccalaureate credit for satisfactory completion of the entire program.

SMS #1

Introduction To Supervision-- designed with three very important factors in mind. first, the supervisory job is distinct from other managers' positions. Because it is unique, the needs of the supervisors are also different in many respects from those of other managers. Second, the course is designed to introduce the concepts of supervision to people who, by and large, practice them everyday. This requires hands-on application of the concepts and opportunities to use them as one takes the course. Third, the course is designed to be useful in a variety of organizations.

Module titles: The Challenge of Supervising; What Supervising Is All About; Mapping the Work Environment; Understanding Employee Behavior; The Supervisor as a Leader; The Supervisor as a Problem Solver; The Supervisor as a Person.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #2

Management Principles-- designed to introduce supervisors to basic management principles. Its purpose is three-fold: to present practical ideas and tools for practicing supervisors; to build a foundation of management concepts that will prepare supervisors for further experiences; and to help each student develop a postitve and constructive philosophy of management.

Module Titles: Organization as a System; What Managers Do; Basics of Planning; Organizing and Organization; Art and Science of Directing; Control: Key to Success; Management Decisions and Information Systems.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #3

Communication Skills-- Problems of communication are sometimes the most difficult to deal with because several people are involved with different points of view. The major goal of this course is to equip supervisors with communication skills and concepts that will make them more effective as managers.

Module titles: The Basics of Communication; Resolving Communication Problems; Developing Oral and Listening Skills; Improving Writing and Reading Skills; Effectiveness in Meetings and Presentations; Communicating Effectively with Employees; Communicating in Your Organization.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #4

Interpersonal Relationships-- deals with ways a manager can increase effectiveness in interpersonal relations with an emphasis on skills necessary for dealing with people.

Module titles: Interpersonal Effectiveness for Supervisors; Improving Skills in Dealing with People; Handling Conflict in Interpersonal Relationships; Dealing with Groups; Working with Superiors and Peers; Working with Subordinates; Building Effective Interpersonal Relationships.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #5

Developing Employee Performance-- deals with various facets of work performance of concern to supervisors in all types of organizations. The course highlights the importance of dealing with work problems as an ongoing practice.

Module titles: The Nature of Work Performance; A System for Managing Performance; Recognizing and Handling Work Problems; Planning and Setting Performance Goals; Monitoring and Managing Quality; Reviewing and Appraising Performance; Maintaining Excellence.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #6

Challenge of A New Employee-- basic premise of this course is that working effectively with a new employee reaps substantial returns in performance, loyalty, and cooperation. By introducing the new employee to the job in a skillful, helpful way, managers can multiply their influence on future employee behavior.

Module titles: The New Employee and You; Planning a Position; Orienting the New Employee; The New Employee and the Work Group; Teaching and Training; Building Performance; Special Problem Situations.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #7

Coaching and Counseling-- to be effective, supervisors must have the necessary tools and skills for nonjudgmental listening and feedback that are essential for resolving emotional issues. In this course leaders are offered a wide range of experiences and skills that will equip them to handle virtually any employee coaching and counseling situation effectively.

Module titles: The Manager's Helping Role; Basics of Counseling and Interviewing; Counseling on Work Performance; Coaching: Day to Day Guidance and Instruction; Dealing with Personal Problems; Career Guidance and Counseling; Selection and Departure Counseling.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #8

Leadership Development-- concerned with the problems, concepts, and techniques of leading others. It is built on the premise that every manager is a leader and can improve his or leadership skills, given the concepts and the incentive. The leader operates not in a vacuum, but within an organization, a department, a social system, and an intricate network of polices, communications, and procedures.

Module titles: Effective Leadership: Art and Science; Leadership: The Role and the Setting; Choosing the Best Leadership Strategy; Innovative Leadership and Decision Making; The Interpersonally-Effective Leader; The Organizationally-Effective Leader; Leading Yourself and Following Your Leader.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #9

Business Concepts-- covers business concepts and practices that have proved their value over the years. An understanding of the nature of your business and how information flows through it increases your effectiveness as a supervisor. Your knowledge of the economic system enables you to comprehend and handle issues that arise as you manage.

Module titles: Understanding Your Economic System; Knowing Your Business; Knowing Your Management Information System; Knowing Your Financial Management System; Improving Quality and Productivity; Working with Other Parts of Your Organization; Dealing with a Changing World.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU


SMS #10

Law for The Layman-- designed to provide those in leadership positions with a background in law that is pertinent to their business context. Although it is for lay people, it contains considerable emphasis on government laws and regulations which are difficult because of their complexity and number.

Module titles: Law and the Legal Process; Criminal and Tort Law; Contract Law; Uniform Commerical Code; Business Organizations; Employee and Employment Law; Government Regulation.

7 - 2 Hour Sessions, 1.4 CEU

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This page updated on 5/21/97.