Your construction supervisor likely rose through the ranks with hard work, loyalty, and expert labor—but they may not know how to effectively manage groups of people.
Investing some thought in your supervisor training curriculum is key to their success. And with an emphasis on necessary communication and leadership techniques, construction site supervisor training can give managers—including new leaders and industry veterans—the skills needed to create a productive, happy workforce.
Construction site supervisor training teaches make-or-break leadership skills
A 2018 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that a company's top performers are far more likely to become managers. And while there's a logic to that (success should be rewarded), high-performing individuals often lack the skills needed to succeed in leadership roles. The problem is so bad, says the Bureau, that many companies would be better off promoting employees at random.
The reason is this: Most supervisors don't know how to help their followers succeed. They're skilled, productive employees who haven't had a chance to develop key skills. And they can thrive as they take on positions of greater responsibility. But they need guidance motivating and organizing those under their care.
Construction site supervisor training—with a well-designed supervisor training curriculum—closes that skills gap. In particular, programs that emphasize leadership development give construction supervisors a chance to:
- Build a culture of engagement. Turnover falls as front-line workers' satisfaction with managers rises. And more engaged employees are likely to remain with an employer for longer periods of time. When motivation rises, injuries and job-site errors fall. Supervisors who motivate employees can boost productivity, retention, and safety.
- Create durable change. Leadership development training helps supervisors develop as role models: people who showcase their expertise and good judgment daily. They build rapport and trust, making front-line workers more likely to buy into your company's vision (and the changes necessary to make it a reality).
- Make the most of your workforce. Construction management training equips supervisors with the tools they need to deliver helpful feedback and effective training. With clear communication and coaching, employees know what they're doing, why they're doing it, and that they have the support to succeed.
A well-tailored construction supervisor training curriculum can better serve supervisors, workers, and the bottom line
All leaders should share at least a few key traits. And with the right leadership skills, managers can motivate, retain, and train a skilled workforce.
But not all construction management training is equally helpful. There are good reasons to craft a supervisor training curriculum suited to your workforce. Thinking carefully about your construction site supervisor training gives you a chance to:
- Fix things that might be broken. Most businesses feel that their professional development programs are a waste of time. It's crucial to develop a supervisor training program that produces achievable, useful outcomes.
- Set expectations. Front-line workers need supervision and a clear direction to succeed. Similarly, your construction supervisor deserves clarity regarding their role and how success is measured. Your construction supervisor training curriculum provides an opportunity to restate your firm's goals while explaining how managers should drive progress toward them—all in a supportive environment that helps them thrive.
- Make sure that lessons stick. It's easy to describe leadership skills. But it's far more difficult to help people embed them in their everyday lives. Managers need guided, ongoing practice in new skills—both on the job site and in safe environments apart from it.
- Align your management styles to workplace demographics. Traditional management styles are ineffective with many younger workers, who tend to perform better under leaders who emphasize collaboration over obedience. Experienced workers, meanwhile, may be more comfortable with an authoritative approach. Construction management training should help leaders navigate your firm's generational differences with skill and grace.
