Great supervisors do more than manage work—they build trust, support employee growth and create positive team experiences. To help supervisors strengthen those skills, Human Resource’s Organizational and Talent Development (OTD) team is offering the Fundamentals of Supervision Learning Series (FOSLS), a four-week hybrid program designed specifically for supervisors of individual contributors.
Built around Rice's Talent E.D.G.E. framework—Engage, Develop, Grow and Excel—the series helps supervisors build the practical leadership skills needed to communicate effectively, foster accountability and confidently lead others.
Practical Leadership Skills for Everyday Challenges
Participants can choose from four core learning paths that address common supervisory responsibilities:
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Communicating with Confidence – Learn strategies for navigating difficult conversations with clarity and confidence.
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Accountability & Trust – Create accountability that drives results while building trust within teams.
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Leading Self – Build self-awareness and strengthen the habits of effective leaders.
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Leading Others – Develop skills to manage conflict, support employees and lead high-performing teams.
Learn, Connect and Apply
Each four-week pathway requires about two hours of learning per week, making it easy to fit professional development into a busy schedule. Through a blend of self-paced coursework, leadership discussions and collaborative learning, participants will:
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Weeks 1–2: Launch into the program with quick, introductory e-learning and create an action plan to apply new skills on the job.
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Week 3: Participate in a one-hour, in-person Leadership Insights Forum with experienced Rice leaders.
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Week 4: Reunite with cohort for a collaborative reflection workshop to share experiences, receive coaching and plan next steps for continued growth.
Pathways are limited to 25 participants at a time and will be offered on a rolling basis. Registration for the Sept. 1-30 session will open to supervisors of individual contributors on August 10.
To enroll, visit the Learning and Development module in iO, search for "FOSLS," join the Fundamentals of Supervision Learning Series Community and select an active learning path.
For questions, contact Organizational and Talent Development at OTD@Rice.edu.