The word "supervision" roughly means overview or survey and refers to a consulting activity that focuses on the work and actions of individuals or groups. The aim is to improve the quality of the work situation and performance. Supervision is used in the world of work, for example for team development, project supervision or supervision of managers. In the education sector, supervision refers to the support of learners by experienced professionals. In most psychological and complementary medicine training courses, this form of supervision is part of the training.
A supervisor supports people in coping with their work. This often involves improving the professional situation, e.g. by changing communication and behavior, strengthening motivation and redistributing tasks in line with the characteristics and skills of employees. They work - as externals or employees - on behalf of companies, institutions or superiors and with goals that are as concrete as possible. In supervision as part of training, supervisors accompany the learning process, reflect with the trainees on their attitude and actions and monitor their practical work.
As part of their assignment, they analyse circumstances such as organizational structure, processes, tasks, resources, role allocation and group dynamics, point out ways to improve the situation and cooperation and support their implementation. Individual supervision is often about expanding and deepening the qualifications of those involved.
In their work, supervisors draw on various psychological and other theories and methods as well as communication and intervention models.
The activities of supervisor, coach and mentor cannot be clearly separated. The designation depends above all on the sector in which the advisory/supervisory role is performed: Supervision has long been a common term in the social and healthcare sectors, whereas the term has only recently found its way into the business world. Previously, the term was more commonly used for coaching. In the case of training, such activities are often referred to as mentoring, especially in the case of longer-lasting consulting processes.
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