We are both very happy that this book continues to be successful and is going into its ninth edition. Since the beginning, we have received positive feedback about the clear writing style and the practical orientation of the text. Many professors tell us that their students— many of whom are already practicing supervisors—often keep Supervision as a handbook and reference even after the class is over.

Another enduring feature of Supervision is its emphasis on productivity. Since 1981, when the first edition was published, productivity has remained a major concern of today’s managers and government leaders. Time, experience, and research have all shown that the supervisor can have a significant impact on an organization’s productivity. This edition continues to emphasize all aspects of a supervisor’s impact on productivity.

We have reorganized the book into six sections with a total of twenty chapters. The previous edition had five sections and twenty-two chapters. Since change confronts today’s supervisors on an almost daily basis, we have continued to place emphasis on the supervisor’s role in managing and dealing with change and innovation. We have also enhanced and reorganized the material dealing with work groups and teams.

As with earlier editions, we have emphasized real-world applications seen from the supervisor’s viewpoint by using numerous and varied examples throughout the text and in the end-of-chapter materials. Each chapter begins with a Supervision Dilemma, which is a realistic example related to the chapter topic. The same example is revisited at the end of the chapter in the Solution to the Supervision Dilemma. Also in keeping with the practical nature of this text, we have several Supervision Illustrations in each chapter. These illustrations contain real-life incidents or news stories that further shape the chapter focus. The overwhelming majority of these illustrations are new to this edition. Each chapter includes review questions, as well as several skill-building questions. In addition, a Skill-Building Applications section at the end of each chapter contains two incidents and at least two experiential exercises, including several new to this edition.

ORGANIZATION OF THE NINTH EDITION

As with the previous edition, this edition is a refinement of a proven successful text. We have continued to organize the materials based on the skills necessary to successfully supervise. We feel that this is a very practical and academically sound approach. This edition is arranged in six major sections: