Early Bird

Calling all supervisors

The Ombuds Office is launching a professional-development program to sharpen your skills.

January 21, 2020

Good supervisors have the power to create inclusive environments and thriving teams, but how do employees become effective leaders? By participating in Metropolitan State University of Denver’s new Supervisor Coaching Program.

The Supervisor Coaching Program offers individualized coaching on the “soft skills” that are critical for good leadership and management: effective and proactive communication, conflict management and emotional intelligence. The program meets supervisors at their specific need level, with a goal of developing strong, inclusive leaders and building highly engaged teams.

“Good supervisors have the power to increase morale, foster inclusivity, breed a positive culture, decrease employee turnover and strengthen an organization’s foundational abilities to reach its goals,” said Barb Beatty, University ombuds and Supervisor Coaching Program founder.

As such, the Supervisor Coaching Program is open to all supervisors and chairs, with a focus on supervisors who are new to the University or have been internally promoted or restructured into supervisory positions. Participation includes a minimum of three hours of one-on-one coaching over two or three sessions plus an opportunity for a team-building facilitation session.

“Coaching with the ombuds has been beneficial to me in gaining self-awareness, clarifying goals and achieving my leadership potential,” said Jennifer Swanson, director of Student Support Services, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

“Having used a variety of ombuds services, including individual and group facilitation/training service, I’d recommend that chairs take advantage of this and any of the services the Ombuds Office offers,” said Andrew Bonham, chair of Chairs and chair of the Chemistry Department.

As part of broader professional-development initiatives, all supervisors who were hired after Sept. 1, 2019, are required to participate in this program. Anyone who has been a supervisor for less than two years is also strongly encouraged to participate. New faculty chairs, while not required to participate, are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this professional-development opportunity.

President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., hopes all new supervisors and chairs will take advantage of this opportunity. “Supervisor and leadership development fits with (MSU Denver’s) inclusive-leadership initiative and enables our staff to be the best leaders for our students,” she said. “Developing leadership skills is a lifelong process, and getting training early on is very important.”

The Ombuds Office is confidential, impartial, informal and independent. For more information on services, or to register for the Supervisor Coaching Program, please contact Beatty at ombuds@msudenver.edu or 303-615-2080.