Influence of a supervisor

Kouzes and Posner, in their book: A Leader’s Legacy, report that the relationship a person has with his or her first supervisor is the “single best predictor of career sucess” as show in longitudinal studies of corporate executives (2006: 34).  They do not quote their source but a quick look on the internet found a few documents that support this finding. 

We can have a powerful influence on the people who report to us.  They look to us for guidance and instruction, but they also look to us for confidence and motivation.  We will most effectively encourage and empower as we have a close relationship with them, and as we seek to build into their lives.

 Although the finding comes from the business world, it has application to the church. Here we may have supervision of an assistant pastor, or a Sunday school teacher, or a musician.  These people will have various aptitudes for their current role, but also have potential for other roles in the future.  Are we using our leadership relationship to empower them for all God has for them ?