Common Sense Supervision [Paperback]

Roger Fulton (Author), Fulton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1988

COMMON SENSE SUPERVISION is a practical manual for people who are new or experienced in supervisory positions. Written in a clear non-nonsense style, the book outlines the responsibilities of a supervisor and shows how to make the workday work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ROGER FULTON possesses more than 25 years of practical management and leadership experience in both public and private sectors. He has been operating his own management consulting firm since 1990. He lives in Glens Falls, New York.THE AUTHOR SCOOP

How did your book, Common Sense Management, come to be? When I got promoted to a supervisory position there was no management training, little guidance, and no mentor. I was thrust into that supervisory position and left to “sink or swim.” I vowed at that time that if I ever got the education, training, and experience to write a simple guide for others, I would. And I did. I hope it helps others who are thrust into management positions to succeed and make their business and personal lives less stressful, to say nothing about the increased quality of life for the people who have to work for them.If you had to boil down the message of Common Sense Management to one sentence, what would it be? No theories, no fluff; just good old common sense on how to succeed in the real world of management in any industry. How long did it take you to write Common Sense Management?Well, I had to take the time to make lots of errors, figure out how to correct them, deal with both competent and incompetent bosses (I learned from both), and I spent 13 years in night school and 25 years of practical experience in both the public and private sectors. Then I had to write the book. So the short answer is: a lifetime.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898152585
• ISBN-13: 978-0898152586
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Reference > General
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Human Resources & Personnel Management
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Entrepreneurship

More About the Author

Roger Fulton has always been a reluctant author. But when he couldn't find the simple books he wanted on how to be a supervisor and manager, he vowed to write one eventually. So once he had the education, training and experience to do so, he did! He has been a supervisor and manager in the military, in the private sector and in public service. In addition he trained management personnel across the country for many years as a part of his own consulting firm. Although his book Common Sense Management is appropriate for any industry, he also has a background in the law enforcement community and has written at least 3 management books specific to that industry as well. The author can always be reached through his webpage at www.RogerFulton.com or via e-mail at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't think to hard, it only takes a little "Common Sense", February 28, 2000

By 

Chad Johnson (North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense Supervision (Paperback)

Common Sense Supervision by Roger V. Fulton is a clear-cut guide for those who have obtained a new supervisory position and/or those who have been in a supervisory position for a short period. I think it is more geared toward the first time supervisor and could be a very useful tool by those who are becoming first time supervisors, whether it be through promotion or direct job placement. Roger V. Fulton has written this book in a clear-cut, no-nonsense style that can be understood by anyone. It touches on many, but not all of the situations that a supervisor may face. The book outlines the major responsibilities of a supervisor and many of the problems they may face with these added responsibilities. It begins by assuring you that you have made strides in the right direction by purchasing the book. The ideas, concepts, and solutions presented in this book are so practical and concise that they can be used immediately to help assist any supervisor be a good or better supervisor than they ever thought they could be. The book also states that its text does not tell you how to handle every situation since every situation, employee, and supervisor is different. I think that is good to let the reader know that this book doesn't have all the answers, which I think no book can do when it comes to dealing with people. The books material really gives you a guide to follow in order to be successful as a supervisor, but it is the individual who must use this guide along with their own common sense to handle each new and challenging situation they may face. The book touches on topics such as your role as a supervisor, getting along with your boss, setting the example for your employees, winning the respect of your employees, winning confidence, and preventing and handling problems in the work environment. The book explains these topics in a common, everyday workplace sense and even gives a brief problem solving method and a decision making process that can be followed by the reader. At times the book seems to be a reassurance for the reader of their abilities to be a successful supervisor. It reads too at times like a confidence builder for someone struggling in the position of supervising or someone unsure of their ability to become a supervisor. I think this book does a great job of providing the reader with a lot of essential information that can be used in everyday situations. It also does a good job of letting the reader know that there is a lot more to being a supervisor than what's contained in its text. The book is merely a start of what it takes to be a successful supervisor, as it states, "experience will be your best teacher and you will be its best student." This book is a great asset for any supervisor, whether it is the new start supervisor looking for success or the already successful supervisor who has forgotten the basics that made them successful in the first place.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read book for anyone in a supervisory position., December 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Common Sense Supervision (Paperback)

This is a very enjoyable book about what it takes to make a good supervisor. With it and it's companion book by the same author, Common Sense Leadership, a person who is new to being in a position of authority, will be able to go into that position with the quotes of great world leaders and thinkers, readily available to meet any situation that arises. Hopefully the book will help the reader avoid costly mistakes and help him or her rise up the leadership ladder.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not very informative., October 13, 2005

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense Supervision (Paperback)

This book is appropriately titled. If you have ANY common sense you will not learn anything. There are lots of lists with no elaboration; for instance "25 common mistakes of first time supervisors". There are no comments on actions one should take to avoid them, just a list. The bulleted and list based layout causes most of the pages to be half blank. This book has only about 30 full pages of text. It takes about 25-30 minutes to read cover to cover.