Let First-Level Supervisors Do Their Job

Citation: W. Earl Sasser Jr., Frank S. Leonard (1980) Let First-Level Supervisors Do Their Job.
Internet Archive Scholar (search for fulltext): Let First-Level Supervisors Do Their Job
Wikidata (metadata): Q51270038
Download: https://hbr.org/1980/03/let-first-level-supervisors-do-their-job
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Summary

Traces first level supervisor from craftsman/entrepreneur and foreman/lead laborer. Now supervisor has to do both roles, but the with more ambguity and less authority, contributed to by professionalization, specialization, scientific management, and unions. The solution is not more authority, as often suggested, as this is not possible -- aforementioned trends do not only affect first level supervisors -- but more communication with higher level management on priorities, less micromanagement, and training on variety of skills and soft power levers that can be used.