Customer Reviews

Common Sense Supervision

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My boss told us he would be buying this book for the supervisory staff and I bought and read the book early.

It is a very simple read and nothing is revelational, but it is well organized and hits the main points supervisors should be thinking of.

I've been sharing the book with employees interested in becoming supervisors to give them some perstpective on the expectations of the job.

This is the type of book that should be read by anyone who has been promoted to some supervisory position. As we all know, "common sense is not so common." Indeed, the title "common sense" is exactly what this fine book delivers to the reader. This book has eight chapters beginning with an introduction, it moves to an explanation of you and the organization. It covers such topics as you as a supervisor, winning respect, winning confidence, winning loyalty, preventing and handling problems, and administration. The Appendix sections alone are worth the price of the book because they explain 25 traits of excellent supervisors, 25 traits of poor supervisors, 25 common mistakes of new supervisors. In conclusion, this is an excellent book for new and experienced supervisors.

Rating: 4 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A Warrior's Memoir)

If you're looking for a supervision textbook, this ain't it. If you're looking for an integrated theory of leadership, this ain't it.

But if you'd like to have a simple, little book that will prod you and remind you about actions and attitudes that go into good supervision, then Common Sense Supervision is an excellent choice.

This book is a collection of common sense thoughts about supervision, each paired with a quote. This is not a book to read straight through. It's a book to keep handy and dip into from time to time.

Nothing here is novel. Nothing here is difficult. Nothing here is likely to leave you slapping your forehead at some incredible insight you've never heard before.

But that doesn't mean that the material here isn't important and it doesn't mean you don't need to be reminded of it from time to time. That's what this book is excellent for, reminding you about important things.

If you're in charge of a group and you're the sort of person who benefits from quick review of things you already know are important, then buy this book. It will be worth far more than the cover price. Buy it and dip into it frequently.

On the other hand, if you find yourself feeling insulted when you read something you already know, something that's "common sense," then don't waste your money on this book. Go find something that does give you value.

If you have any common sense of your own, you don't need this book. Having been supervised yourself should have taught you these basics, such as "Don't criticize superiors" and "Be patient and calm" I also didn't care for the bullet/list style of writing.