The basic function of managing and supervising is “guiding” someone through the proper channels to an objective and providing the basic framework for facilitating easy attainment of the goal. While the manager directs every individual and every action towards the attainment of the overall objectives of the business entity, the supervisor moves to assist the subordinate for achieving his personal goals.

While the manager sets the goals of the organisation, the supervisor on a mutual understanding with the subordinate helps him in formulating their individual goals. The manager is to constantly review the strategic policies of the company and bring about the necessary modifications in accordance to the changes in the environment. A good supervisor however constantly evaluates the skills and talents of the subordinates and helps in remodelling their personal goals in accordance to their talents. Performance appraisal system formulated by the managers and conducted by the supervisors helps in highlighting the key skills that lay within the employee which can be exploited for ensuring better results for the company as well as the employees.

Once the goals are set, managing involves providing and utilising the company resources sensibly to guarantee success. While the managers organises a favourable environment to work for achieving company objectives, the supervisors work for an environment that is healthy enough to motivate the employees to deliver better results. This result in a profitable situation for the individual and the company as through individual success the company success is ensured.

Managing the company resources involve foreseeing the possible changes that can happen in the business environment and identifying the gap between the haves and the have nots. The gap is then bridged by facilitating training and developmental programs. Supervision, on the other hand, recognises the strengths and weaknesses of the individual players and directs them to those programs that help the subordinates in strengthening their positive elements and negating their weaknesses. The manager is a ‘headman” who decides the actions to be performed in the organisation, while the supervisor is a “mentor” who guides and supports the employees at all times. Mutual relationship is the reason behind the success of an effective supervision.

Managing also includes monitoring the progress made by the operations towards the overall goals and taking measures to cut down and overcome the deviations. The job of supervising on the other hand monitors the individual actions channelling their activities towards their long term objective through performance appraisals and observations. Supervisor is like a catalyst that provides the support and energy to perform well for personal accomplishments.

In short, managing involves formulation of the company objectives, planning the strategic moves and the policies, organising the resources, monitoring actions and controlling them with the goal in mind. Supervision mainly includes counselling and directing the subordinates for their personal success. It involves a process wherein the supervisor and his subordinates jointly decide the goals based on the identification of the individual strengths and weaknesses, with the supervisor providing supportive environment for its accomplishment, monitoring the progress and making the modifications, adding thereby to the morale of the employees.

Whatever be the differences, both managing and supervision are necessary for quality improvement.