Return to Main Menu

Supervisors, leaders benefit from training by Cindy Abole Public Relations   First-time supervisors and employees within the Department of Support Services who possess leadership qualities, recently completed a professional training and leadership development course. It was meant to help participants build upon basic managerial techniques and supervisory skills to assist others toward meeting their goals while achieving excellence in the workplace.    Members of the Nov. 7 supervisor training class gather to receive their certificates.   A total of 37 employees completed one of two, seven-to-nine-week supervisor training classes in September and November. The latest class ended Nov. 7 with a recognition ceremony and presentation of certificates to participants.      The program was taught by training consultant and workshop facilitator Karen Harvey, president of Training & Consulting Solutions, LLC. Classes were organized into customized teaching modules, each lasting about one to two hours, to help build supervisory and managerial competencies. The program addressed a variety of topics including honing leadership skills, understanding the transition from peer to supervisor, human resource management, relationship building, problem solving, time management, handling change and customer service.   “This was a highly interactive program that encouraged involvement and constant feedback by participants,” said Harvey. Her firm has experience working with hospitals, government agencies and public institutions in the United States and Canada, and has more than 25 years experience in program design development, consulting/coaching services and facilitation. “The program emphasizes personal and team accountability and dovetails very nicely with what’s being emphasized with the MUSC Excellence program,” she said.   Support Services represents more than 400 employees and medical center contract groups including dietetic, environmental, accounts payable  and purchasing services, biomedical engineering and materials management. Department management felt there was a need for professional training of front-line supervisors and others who show leadership potential in working with staff and customers throughout their organization. Managers within these areas were asked to nominate supervisors and staff to attend the program.   Each class/session was designed around learning experiences and relied upon the participation, continued feedback and examples shared by participants. Additionally, employees reviewed case studies, discussed actual examples, conducted role playing, learned how to set goals and develop a leadership style, plus other assignments.   “This type of training was a great idea for helping supervisors learn more about their roles,” said Margaret Robertson, administrative coordinator, Department of Support Services. “Hopefully, all who attended either session realize that they can take this new knowledge and tools to their jobs and work with their staff in achieving area goals and focusing on excellence with all their daily tasks.”   “When the experience of first-time supervisors is successful, supervisors can go on to become successful at other successive levels within the career ladder, while contributing to MUSC’s overall success,” wrote Harvey in her firm’s training outline shared with training organizers in the Department of Support Services.   La’Trease Bennett, an Environmental Services supervisor, manages staff in different areas of the main hospital. She and four other supervisors attended the September training and found it very helpful and refreshing.   “The interaction with co-workers was great,” said Bennett, who has been with MUSC since 1998. “The sessions helped us get to know and understand one another within Support Services. It also taught me and others that although our jobs may be different, we can share similar problems and issues. This training provided us with the skills we need to approach and handle different situations.”   Bennett’s remarks echo similar comments shared by other attendees. Robertson and other department organizers hope to bring back Harvey to conduct additional classes and supplemental training in the future.   “This has been an equally rewarding and positive experience for me,” Harvey said. “It’s important that people get something out of this program. It also can help people think positively and set goals for effective change. It just happened to be the right time to collaborate with this group and match their needs with our program.”     Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.