Techniques of Supervision Fall 2008 Professor Isler Assignment #1

Directions: Read the question carefully and answer only what is asked. No points will be awarded for extraneous discussion. Please also note the following:

1. This assignment may not exceed two pages;

2. The assignment must be typed;

3. The assignment is due September 17, 2008;

4. The assignment may not be e-mailed to me or the TA;

5. The assignment is worth 2.5 points; and

6. This assignment may not exceed two pages, the assignment must be typed, the assignment is due September 17, 2008, the assignment may not be e-mailed to me or the TA, and the assignment is worth 2.5 points

When basketball teams from Duke, Georgia Tech, and the other 10 members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, most eyes are on the players and the scoreboard. Some avid fans also watch the referees, sometimes challenging their calls. Few would notice one important observer: John Clougherty, supervisor of the ACC’s officials.

To carry out his job, Clougherty attends dozens of games every season and watches the rest on DVDs at home. At the ready is a legal pad, on which he takes notes about the number of fouls called on each team and data about particular calls he needs to discuss later with individual officials. When they make a mistake, Clougherty lets them know right after game. In fact, quick feedback is one of this supervisor’s priorities. Right after he became supervisors, he began requiring that each game be recorded on DVD and that a disc be delivered to the officials minutes after the end of the game. If there is a disagreement about a call and Clougherty is at the game, he might review the recording immediately with the officials. The information also helps him communicate effectively with team coaches.

Clougherty uses his DVD recordings as an important resource for teaching referees. Occasionally, they also provide a record in support of disciplinary actions. During a recent game between Florida State and Duke, a crew of officials improperly called a technical foul on a Florida State basketball player and then failed to review the play on the courtside monitor Clougherty responded with a suspension.

1. 
   Which supervisory skills seem to be most important to Clougherty’s job? Why?
   
2. 
   What types of responsibilities does he undertake?
   
3. 
   How important do you think Clougherty’s experience as a referee was in preparing him to be a supervisor? Other than that work experience, what experiences and qualities do you think would be important for someone to succeed in Clougherty’s job? Do those experiences and qualities apply to most supervisory jobs?
   

1. 
   Your group’s work is centered on a project that is due in two months. Although everyone is working on the project, you believe that your subordinates are involved in excessive socializing and other time-consuming behaviors. You decide to meet with the group to have the members help you break down the project into smaller subprojects with mini deadlines. You believe that this will help keep the group members focused on the project and that the quality of the finished project will then reflect the true capabilities of your group.
   
2. 
   Your first impression of the new group you will be supervising is not too great. You tell your friend at dinner after your first day on the job: “Looks like I got a babysitting job instead of a supervisory job.”
   
3. 
   Your boss asks your opinion about promoting Andy to a supervisory position. Andy is one of your most competent and efficient workers. Knowing that Andy lacks leadership skills in many key areas, you decide not to recommend him at this time. Instead you tell your boss you will work with Andy to help him develop his leadership skills so that the next time an opportunity for promotion occurs, Andy will be prepared to consider it.