THE 5 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF A SUPERVISOR - JOB - 2025

The functions of a supervisor range from linking departments within an organization to coordinating and distributing tasks.

Supervisors must be proficient in the subject matter of their work, construct plans, and have the ability to direct.

The word "supervise" derives from the Latin words super, which means "about"; and videre, which means "to see." Therefore, a supervisor is literally the one who sees a group of people from above.

A supervisor can have multiple roles; You can be an advisor, leader, team builder, or even a change agent within the company.

The groups that are directly linked to supervisors in a work environment are usually clients, collaborators, subordinates, management, management and other supervisors.

The 5 main functions of a supervisor

1- Coordinate

In addition to combining two or more elements of the same hierarchical level, coordinating is monitoring the operational, organizational, logistical and administrative work of the company.

2- Link departments

A supervisor must align the various areas and units towards the objective of the organization.

This serves to ensure that there is a link between the work, actions and decisions of all individuals who work in the company.

3- Distribute the work

After carrying out the design of the work positions, the distribution of the same follows. This function is necessary for the creation of the teams.

The supervisor will define who is responsible for the activities, who to ask and who to inform, always taking care that the distribution of work is equitable.

4- Mediate and advise

Supervisors often resolve situations between employees and higher-ups. A supervisor may have an advisory and consultant role.

To be able to advise, it is necessary to have an expert opinion, with which you can influence another person in the field of decision-making.

Advising does not mean executing; however, good advice can influence the achievement of objectives.

5- Evaluate

This function refers to estimating the knowledge, skills and performance of the workers and the supervisor himself.

To do this, supervisors must know evaluation techniques. Some are job analysis, job performance measurement and testing, as well as identifying employee personality traits.

References

1. Editorial Pax México, “Supervisor's role”, Alfonso Jauregui, 2006.
2. National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico, "The supervisor and its functions within the business administration", 1965.
3. Karnac Books, “Supervisor Training: Issues and Approaches Volume 2 of Guide to supervision series”, Penny Henderson, 2009.
4. EUNED, "Management and supervision of educational centers", Manuel Lorenzo Delgado, 1998.
5. Editorial Limusa, "Business Administration / Business Administration, Volume 2

   Business Administration", Agustin Reyes, Agustín Reyes Ponce, 2002.

6. Editorial Limusa, "Applied Administration / Applied Management", Salvador Mercado, 2002.
7. Pearson Education »Personnel Management», Gary Dessler, 2001.