Leading is a process that comprises creating an environment in which employees are willing to motivate themselves to ensure objectives are achieved and providing the resources needed to achieve the objectives Controlling involves ensuring your work unit is meeting the objectives that have been set by comparing actual results with expected results and evaluating whether or not the objectives have been met. To fulfill a supervisory role, there are three skill areas that must be developed. Technical skills encompass specific knowledge, methods, procedures, or techniques required to perform a specific job. For example, a supervisor of computer network administrators must understand the physical operation of computers, cables, and routers that connect the computers, along with networking software. Almost all supervisors excel in technical skills this is why they were promoted in the first place.
Conceptual skills help the supervisor understand how a work unit fits into the total organization.
For example, suppose that management for a hotel sets a goal to improve customer satisfaction. A housekeeping supervisor needs to be able to work with management to determine how this goal can be achieved by establishing specific objectives related to room cleanliness. Most new supervisors do not have well-developed conceptual skills because they often aren t required to use them in other jobs. Human skills help a supervisor understand, communicate with, and interact effectively with employees. For example, a supervisor who encourages workers to produce more electrical motors by regularly praising and encouraging them is practicing human skills.