Synergistic Supervision: A Method for Insuring the Future for New Professionals

1
Synergistic Supervision A Method for Insuring
the Future for New Professionals

• Ashley Tull, Ed.D.
• Florida State University

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Program Purpose

• To gain a better understanding of the factors
  that lead to job dissatisfaction and intention to
  turnover for new professionals
• To learn about the holistic nature of synergistic
  supervision and its benefits
• To gain a better understanding of the importance
  of supervisory relationships in the orientation
  and socialization process
• To set a research agenda for the future for
  supervision of new professionals

3
Background

• New professionals leave the field each year
  because of job dissatisfaction
• The culture of an organization can influence a
  new professionals decision to stay or leave
• New professionals need orientation and
  socialization
• An effective model of supervision is one way we
  can work to reduce the attrition of new
  professionals
• Synergistic Supervision is a holistic approach to
  supervision that would serve new professionals
  well

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Synergistic Supervision Defined

• Winston and Creamer, described synergistic
• supervision, as related to
• a) discussion of exemplary performance
• b) discussion of long-term career goals
• c) discussion of inadequate performance
• d) frequency of informal performance appraisals
• e) discussion of personal attitudes
• Source Winston, R. B., Creamer, D. G. (1997).
  Improving staffing
• affairs practices in student affairs. San
  Francisco Jossey-Bass.

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Framework and Significance of Study
Supervisor Race
Supervisor Race
Supervisee Gender
Supervisor Gender
Supervisee Gender
Supervisor Gender
Synergistic Supervision
Job Satisfaction and Intention to Turnover
Supervisee Race
Supervisee Race
Supervisor Position Level
Supervisor Position Level
Type of Institution
Type of Institution
Supervisee Position Level
Supervisee Position Level
Size of Institution
Size of Institution
Length of Supervisory Relationship
Length of Supervisory Relationship
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Review of the Literature

• Culture of Organizations
• Culture of Higher Education Organizations
• Characteristics of Student Affairs Administration
• Characteristics of New Professionals
• Job Satisfaction and Intention to Turnover
• Synergistic Staff Supervision

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Research Questions

• Is there a relationship between perceived level
  of synergistic supervision received and job
  satisfaction of new professionals in student
  affairs?
• Is there a relationship between perceived level
  of synergistic supervision received and intention
  to turnover of new professionals in student
  affairs.
• Each correlated for gender and race of dyad
  pairs size and type of employing institution
  supervisor/supervisee position level within the
  organization and length of supervisory
  relationship.

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Methodologies

• Design
• Participants
• Instrumentation
• Data Collection Procedures
• Methods of Data Analysis
• Main Effect Hypotheses
• Interactive Hypotheses
• Exploratory Variables

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Study Results

• Data Collection and Response Rate
• Descriptive Characteristics of Supervisors
• Descriptive Characteristics of Supervisees
• Main Effect Hypotheses
• Interactive Hypotheses
• Exploratory Variables
• Post Hoc Analysis

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Implications for New Professionals and Supervisors

• This study confirms the importance of effective
  supervisory characteristics that can lead to the
  development of new professionals.
• A new professionals orientation and socialization
  model can be developed from the results that can
  effectively prepare those who work in the
  profession.
• A philosophy of management for supervisors at all
  levels can be utilized to maximize the
  professional development of staff.
• Several factors contributing to dissatisfaction
  and turnover were identified and can be
  highlighted in the orientation and professional
  development of hires.

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Implications for the Profession

• This study supports a framework for graduate
  preparation programs and associations that can be
  integrated into curricula and professional
  development experiences
• The use of synergistic supervision can be useful
  in promoting a more satisfied and committed
  workforce for the profession
• This study provided confirming evidence that
  synergistic supervision is an effective
  management style for promoting job satisfaction
  and reducing intentions to turnover

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Recommendations

• Conduct a longitudinal study
• Conduct a study to examine specific behavioral
  characteristics of supervisors and supervisees
• Replicate study with those who are not members of
  ACPA or other associations
• Further study the nature of the male/male
  supervisory relationship
• Conduct an updated retention study of new
  professionals