A good supervisor will inspire, challenge and motivate his or her employees. Additionally, a supervisor has the ability to stay focused and is able to see the big picture. However, it could be argued that the best quality a good supervisor must possess is the ability to recognize the potential of others. However, the most important skill a supervisor must possess is the ability to help those around them realize their potential. But is that all there is to a good supervisor? Or is there more? In an interview with Ms. Jill Wilcox, a recently retired assistant claims manager for a major workers' compensation insurance company, she believes that an employee's emotional intelligence also has to do with the ability to lead one's squad. “Sometimes you see people moving up the career ladder and wonder why? I don't mean to say that everyone who gets promoted is not worthy, it's just that there have been occasions when deserving employees were not selected. Which begs the question of why? Wilcox, he said. Being a supervisor is much more than having the right qualities and skills. It's about learning to play the supervisor's game. As much as you might hate to admit it, in business it matters who you know and how well you interact with those around you. When an employee moves into a supervisory role, the added benefit is when that employee knows the rules of the game and has the quality needed to inspire, challenge and motivate their employees. “Usually, when an employee is promoted within their company, it really motivates and empowers the rest of the employees to aspire to be leaders. So when the new supervisor has the supervisory skills and qualities, the company really wins.” Wilcox comme......middle of paper......ce, easy supervisor where there is always chaos and crisis. In an office with several Assistant Claims Managers, proving the latter is not a difficult task. This does not imply that an excellent supervisor must be a dictator, but simply that he or she must learn to lead his or her employees by learning to understand, reach out, and empathize with his or her employees. “Not that I'm criticizing my fellow managers, but if they would just listen to their employees and try to establish an understanding working relationship, their units would function better.” Wilcox commented. In an effort to empower and educate their employees a supervisor must be able to continually raise standards and push the limits of employees. Employees are always capable of doing more than they think, but they will never achieve what they are capable of unless they are pushed, inspired, or challenged.