Supervisory Development Content Library

Students are a core part of our mission at the University. For many students, the University of Minnesota is not only a place where they go to school and forge friendships, it is also a place where they get their first job experience. Balancing the need to support and develop students while ensuring that essential tasks are completed can be challenging.

Explore survey drivers to view some ideas for action.

This video helps supervisors ask important questions to understand their team's purpose, prioritize tasks, and plan effectively allowing them to focus on results that matter. Learn how to manage your team through conversations, feedback, and accountability, boosting skills, engagement, and impact. Keywords: team management, leadership, productivity, planning, employee development.

This video addresses the limitations of traditional yearly performance reviews and introduces a more effective approach to performance management. Supervisors will explore the benefits of ongoing feedback, regular check-ins, and clear goal-setting to improve communication, foster employee development, and enhance overall performance. Keywords: performance reviews, performance management, feedback, regular check-ins, employee development, goals, communication.

This video shows how engaged employees at the University of Minnesota drive productivity, improve retention, and boost job performance. See how support, resources, and confidence help foster this engagement, and explore key metrics like commitment and creating an effective work environment. Keywords: employee engagement, productivity, job performance, research, retention, work environment.

This video provides an overview of the employee groups at the University of Minnesota. It highlights the importance of understanding these differences for effective supervision. Learn about union-represented staff, civil service employees, academic professionals, graduate assistants, and student workers. Keywords: employee groups, union, civil service employees, academic professionals, graduate assistants, student workers, performance management, contracts, policies.

This video covers how hiring managers can overcome challenges like time constraints and uncertainty during the hiring process. Supervisors will learn strategies for asking the right questions, conducting effective interviews, and making objective decisions based on department needs and candidate qualifications to ensure new hire success. Keywords: hiring process, hiring managers, time constraints, decision-making, effective interviews, department needs, candidate qualifications, team benefits, new hire success.

This worksheet will help you accurately assess the needs of the position, allowing you to create an accurate and thoughtful job description that will attract a range of candidates. This worksheet accompanies the Quick Guide to Analyzing the Needs of the Position.

Start your hiring process strong with the University of Minnesota’s Quick Guide to Analyzing the Needs of the Position. Learn how to define priorities, clarify goals, identify key competencies, and write inclusive job descriptions that attract candidates aligned with your department’s mission and future needs.

Asking questions is one of the most important ways a manager can help an employee think critically about a decision they need to make. Learn how to support employees by asking questions instead of giving direct answers. This guide helps you encourage critical thinking, promote ownership of solutions, and strengthen accountability during important 1:1 coaching conversations.

Critical Thinking | Empowerment | Coaching Skills | Employee Ownership | Problem Solving | Accountability | Decision-Making Development