STEP - Supervisory Training for Excellence in Performance
Supervisory Training for Excellence in Performance (STEP) is a comprehensive supervisory course for those who supervise staff. It is designed to build the capacity of new and experienced managers and supervisors to lead with vision and confidence. Through this course, participants will enhance their knowledge of, and skills in applying, policies and practices toward building high performing, supportive teams.
The course consists of these 10 sessions delivered over five course days. The group meets one day each week for both a morning and afternoon session.
Introduction to STEP & Role of the Supervisor - this is the first session in each course. It provides an overview of the course’s expectations, content, and communications. Also includes content and discussion about the different roles that supervisors may take throughout the course of a workday, current challenges of supervising, and what skills, knowledge, values, and demeanor make an effective supervisor. Space to share experiences and wisdom with other participants is provided.
Compliance - provides information about laws and policies important for supervisors to be aware of, such as: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), shared leave, parental leave, worker’s compensation, and navigating the process when a staff member’s employment ends.
Counseling & Disciplinary Action - defines and discusses counseling and discipline as a problem-solving process, covers the difference between conduct and performance, and identifies the grounds, steps and guidelines for progressive counseling and discipline.
IRISE Values & Ethics - introduces participants to the IRISE Values (Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, and Excellence) as the foundation of workplace culture and decision-making. The session explores how supervisors model these values in everyday leadership, especially when navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and complex decisions. Participants examine ethical leadership beyond compliance, focusing on trust, accountability, and real-world “gray area” situations. Through discussion, reflection, and applied scenarios, participants practice using IRISE as a framework to make values-aligned decisions that support their teams, strengthen culture, and reinforce ethical leadership.
Managing Employee Performance - this session explains the many ways that supervisors can facilitate successful staff performance through an ongoing cycle of performance management. Strategies include goal-setting, clarifying and setting new expectations to employees over time, giving on-going feedback and guidance throughout the year, and sharing professional development opportunities. An overview of the functionality of the online performance management system is also provided.
Office of Civil Rights and Title IX as a Resource - provides an overview of the Office and what it provides to support supervisors in their efforts to build and maintain a workplace climate of respect and understanding. Included are the different types of discrimination as listed in KU and federal policy and how to support someone who discloses discrimination, sexual misconduct, and harassment. Also covered is an explanation of how the Office handles disclosures and reports of these issues.
Organizational Change - focuses on how supervisors manage the people side of change: preparing the team for it and addressing staff who are excited and those who are resistant. Also covered is how supervisors can manage the stress organizational change adds to their lives. Models and best practices are discussed for leading oneself and one’s team through change.
Self-Management - focuses on what work-life integration looks like for supervisors. Included is assessing your productivity style and identifying ways to work with your natural tendencies to be intentional about organizing time as well as how to support team members with different styles. Also covered are approaches to problem-solving and decision-making, especially as they relate to setting priorities.
Staff Mental Health in the Workplace - This session demonstrates the value of supporting our employees’ mental wellness. Supervisors will examine strategies that help foster engagement and connectedness with their teams, learn how to assess for signs or symptoms that could indicate a challenge, and leave with a basic crisis navigation framework and awareness of KU and community mental health resources.
As of October 1, 2022, everyone appointed, promoted, or hired into a role that includes supervising staff is required to complete STEP within their first year. All those who were in supervisory roles prior to that date are encouraged to complete it at least once every five years to ensure they stay current with policies and procedures.