Who It's For:

Library staff who supervise others (e.g. during shifts, rotas, or tasks) but don’t hold formal line management roles — including senior library assistants, duty supervisors, weekend/evening leads, or newly promoted team leads.

What You’ll Learn:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Recognise the key differences between supervision and management
Lead with confidence, even without formal authority
Set clear expectations and boundaries with peers or junior staff
Address minor issues or conflict with kindness and clarity
Delegate and give direction without micromanaging
Build trust and credibility as a supervisor
Know when and how to escalate concerns appropriately

Course Overview:

1. Understanding Your Role

Supervision vs. management
What authority do you actually have?
Navigating the middle ground: neither “one of the team” nor their “boss”

2. Leading Without Formal Power

Influence vs. authority
Building respect through communication and consistency
Balancing approachability with accountability

3. Everyday Supervision Scenarios

Giving instructions clearly and kindly
What to do when someone isn’t doing what’s expected
Peer relationships: supervising your friends or former equals

4. Micro-boundaries & Escalation

“That’s not ok” moments – how to step in calmly
When and how to involve your manager
Maintaining your own wellbeing and confidence

Learning Methods:

Scenario-based discussions
Realistic role-play (optional but encouraged)
Reflective prompts for your own context
Downloadable worksheet: Your Supervision Toolkit

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