Supervision and the Art of Supervising

This course explores the essential differences between managing and leading, equipping participants with the tools to do both effectively. Through case studies, communication exercises, and team-building strategies, attendees will learn how to set expectations, resolve conflict, and foster a culture of accountability and growth. Whether you're new to supervision or looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this course provides a practical foundation for long-term success.

• Maintenance, production, and storeroom supervisors and managers seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities.
• Non-technical supervisors in HR, safety, or quality roles looking to strengthen team dynamics and communication.
• Professionals preparing to step into supervisory roles or lead cross-functional teams.

This course is part of the Maintenance and Reliability Management Certificate. Enhance your maintenance skills while earning a recognized credential.

Introduction

• Welcome and orientation
• Philosophy
• Definitions
• Continuous Improvement
• World Class

Leaders vs. managers

• The difference
• The need for both

Leadership traits and characteristics

• What to look for
• What to enhance
• What to change

Team building

• Creating empowered associations
• Developing partnerships

Setting expectations

• Competency based training
• True ownership
• Feedback

The change model

• Status quo
• Vision
• Expectations
• Metrics
• Behavior over time
• Culture change

Goal setting

• KPIs
• Goals
• Means
• Consequences

Conflict resolution

• Expectations
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Processes

Communication

• Communication model
• Communication plan
• Crafting the message
• Give it to them straight

John Ross

John L. Ross, Jr has been a practitioner of maintenance and reliability for almost four decades. He is a former Captain in the United States Air Force, a Distinguished Graduate of both the Aircraft Maintenance Officer School and the Squadron Officer School. John is a Gulf War veteran.

He is a published author of almost two dozen articles and two best-selling books: The Reliability Excellence Workbook, From Ideas to Action; Cover You’re A$$ets, Asset Management at Your Place and at Your Pace.

John is the President of the international reliability consulting company, Maintenance Innovators, Inc., a global thought leader in equipment reliability. John is the co-founder of the American Reliability & Maintenance Institute; creators and administrators of the Certified Storeroom Manager, Certified Storeroom Technician, and the Certified Professional Reliability Engineer certifications.

John is a certified Lean Manufacturing facilitator, Process Safety Management SME, and a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP). John holds a U.S. Patent, an A.S., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.