Organizational Culture and Supervisory Training

¶ … Supervisory Training

While the debate over nature versus nurture continues, the fact remains that some people appear to be "natural born" leaders while others must struggle to acquire the skills needed to lead others in an organizational setting. For individuals who are fortunate enough to possess the innate leadership skills needed, first-line supervisory training may be less important than for others who have been thrust into positions of authority. To determine the facts, this paper provides an analysis of the case study, "The Correctional Sergeant's Dilemma," to explain the importance of first-line supervisory training and an assessment concerning the manner in which Sergeant Rick handled the situation with his subordinate, Officer Johnson, and his superior, Lieutenant Murray. A discussion concerning how this situation could have been handled differently is followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning the foregoing issues in the conclusion.

1. How important is First Line Supervisory Training?

The predicament that Sergeant Rick encountered as a first-line supervisor at the Sampson Correctional Institution (SCI) was certainly not unique, but it did serve to highlight the importance of first-line supervisory training for new supervisors. In Sergeant Rick's case, he was required to supervise correctional officers with whom he had worked as a peer for numerous years, and he was woefully unprepared for these new responsibilities. According to Cadwell (2006), the transition to first-line supervisor in any organizational setting can be a daunting experience that requires new supervisors to be cognizant of the full range of their responsibilities, including most especially the appropriate approach to managing their subordinates. As Cadwell emphasizes, though, "Although management and supervisory skills are required, often very little formal training is provided. Also, the way the work is organized often puts a premium on getting the work out rather than preparing first-line supervisors for their new responsibilities" (2006, p. 18).

While some new supervisors appear to possess the innate qualities needed to recognize what type of leadership style will be most effective in a given set of circumstances, most people lack these skills and will require some level of first-line supervisory training to help them acquire these skills (Cadwell, 2006). An important point made by Warners (2006), though is that training is not a static affair but is rather an ongoing, essential part of a law enforcement officer's career path. Consequently, while first-line supervisory training is an essential part of helping new supervisors become more effective at their jobs, additional supervisory training will be needed as individuals proceed along their career paths into higher level management positions (Warners, 2006). The need for first-line supervisory training was highlighted by Sergeant Rick's dilemma in handling a request for time off by one of his subordinates, Officer Johnson as discussed further below.

2. Do you agree with the manner in which Sergeant Rick handled this situation?

To his credit, Sergeant Rick carefully weighed the alternatives in the situation involving Officer Johnson's request for an unscheduled day off to attend an important sporting event for his son. Moreover, Sergeant Rick clearly understood the implications of any decision he made with respect to this request and responded in a manner that was consistent with his line of reasoning. For instance, Sergeant Rick recognized that if he approved Officer Johnson's request, it might be construed as favoritism for a former friend and peer by his other subordinates. Conversely, if he did approve the request, it would create an additional workload for the other correctional officers under his supervisor. The decision by Sergeant Rick to allow Officer Johnson the opportunity to find another officer to cover for his schedule was appropriate, but it is reasonable to suggest that his decision to disallow this request without consulting his immediate supervisor, Lieutenant Murray, was premature.

3. How would you have handled this situation?