Some people have the knack of supervising others and do a good job at it. Others find it difficult and sometimes unpleasant. They may feel insecure or lacking in ability. Perhaps they are afraid of those in their charge. They may lack courage to be firm or to take needed action. Or they may be worried because they do not seem to evoke harmony and respect.

Just how does one correct these conditions and become a successful supervisor? Taking educational courses or reading books on the subject can measurably help. But the most important thing one can do is to get a correct view of himself and of those he oversees.

Christian Science is invaluable in this regard. In conformity with the Bible it stresses the fact that man is made in the image of God and is therefore Godlike. Because God is Mind, or Love, and is perfect, omnipotent, and omniscient, then man—the true identity of each one of us—is perfect, reflecting the power and intelligence of God. Man is never afraid, limited, or uncooperative. He cannot be influenced by the so-called mortal, or carnal, mind to express negative, undesirable qualities, because there can be no mortal mind opposed to the one infinite Mind, God. God's man expresses without limit the divine qualities of wisdom, discernment, understanding, justice, stability, and the like.

These are the facts about oneself and those he supervises. As one utilizes these truths, he finds that he has increased capability to direct others in a wise, harmonious, and productive manner.

In improving his ability, a supervisor first needs to consider his real selfhood, which is the image, or idea, of divine Mind and expresses the attributes of Mind, including fearlessness, love, perception. One should claim these and other divine qualities as his own, and refuse to believe that he can reflect such opposite propensities as timidity, poor judgment, and dislike. Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health, "The great truth in the Science of being, that the real man was, is, and ever shall be perfect, is incontrovertible; for if man is the image, reflection, of God, he is neither inverted nor subverted, but upright and Godlike." ^{Science and Health, p. 200;}

Further, the supervisor needs to recognize the true identity of those under him. To the best of his ability he should replace the material concept of each one with the real concept of man as God's manifestation, having integrity and vitality, together with ability, intelligence, obedience. Healing—the restoration of harmony in any situation—is brought about in Christian Science by beholding the perfect man, right where the mortal counterfeit seems to be.

This is not always easy. The mortal concept, depicting a person as angry, uncooperative, or unreasonable, can appear very real. But one who discerns in some degree the falsity of this picture, and replaces it with the truth of man as Love's reflection, may expect to see discord replaced with harmony.

Christ Jesus, who was wiser in handling people than anyone else who ever lived, taught, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." ^{Matt. 7:12;} One who follows this Golden Rule is bound to greatly improve his administrative ability and avoid many pitfalls.

A supervisor is required to exercise the authority vested in him, but if he fails to express the God-given qualities that make his authority acceptable, he may evoke opposition and discord. Blending firmness with justice and mercy, he finds that workers willingly comply with what is fair and impartial.

One who directs others has the joyous opportunity to know that they can do skillfully and happily whatever is right for them to do. He can realize that because they are actually God's expressions they reflect the wisdom of Mind to solve every problem rightly given them, and are impelled by divine Love to work together in unity. As he does this, he finds he is invoking God's law of harmony, accomplishment, and progress and he may expect to bring out the very best in his workers. ...

Employees need to be honestly told where they stand. A good supervisor will correct errors in a manner motivated by love and wisdom, and in the spirit of the Golden Rule. He will not withhold merited praise because of any sense of jealousy or superiority, but will recognize the rightness of giving loving recognition when it is deserved. Praise or encouragement will often work wonders in raising the morale of employees.

If one's thought is right, the act of censuring an associate need not be an unhappy undertaking. If his desire is not to punish a wrongdoer but to help him face and overcome faults, the supervisor will be led by divine wisdom to say and do what will result in the greatest good. When absolutely necessary, discharging a person or laying him off will be less painful an experience when the supervisor realizes God's constant care of His children.

There may be times when a crisis appears and enmity, opposition, rebellion, and the like seem to take over. The supervisor who realizes the omnipotence of Love will not react in fear to such challenges. He will remain calm, knowing that evil is powerless to disturb the harmony that Love eternally ordains. Mrs. Eddy writes, "The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace." ^{Science and Health, p. 506.} Knowing this, the supervisor, holding to his faith in God, can pray to discern the steps he should take to nullify the claims of error and demonstrate the sovereignty of Truth, God. And he will confidently expect to have the right course unfold.

Surely the work of supervising offers countless opportunities to practice Christian Science. One who utilizes this Science, basing his thought and actions on his understanding of perfect God and perfect man, cannot help being a better supervisor.