How to be a better supervisor

1. Your attitude is critical to the success and development of your students.
2. Remember that those training for a PhD are not ‘hired hands’.
3. Make deliberate plans to meet those you supervise regularly (between once and four times a month); don’t leave it to chance.
4. Work on building a relationship of trust and honesty.
5. Recognize they will need you most when things don’t go to plan.
6. When progress is much less than expected, do not be confrontational, try to get to the bottom of problems and, if needed, summon additional resources to help.
7. You want your chicks to be able to fly the nest, so build their confidence and encourage their independence.
8. When complex issues arise, doing what is best for your student will also be best for you.