Role of Early Supervisory Experience in Supervisor Performance

This research explores the role of early supervisory experience and cognitive ability in first-line supervisor performance. Similar to F.L. Schmidt, J.E. Hunter, and A.N. Outerbridge's (1986) study of nonsupervisors, this research tested structural models hypothesizing relationships among supervisory experience, cognitive ability, supervisory knowledge and proficiency, and performance ratings, using a sample of 570 second-tour soldiers. The Schmidt et al. model with an additional ability → experience path provided the best fit. The significant ability → experience path was interpreted as indicating that demonstrated ability contributes to soldiers being given the opportunity to obtain supervisory experience. Experience had a greater impact on supervisor proficiency than on supervisor knowledge. Ability had a greater impact on supervisor knowledge than on proficienty. Discussion focuses on the personal characteristics that might be involved in being assigned supervisory responsibilities.