The satisfaction of teachers with their supervisors’ interpersonal communication skills in relation to job burn-out and growth satisfaction in southern India

Abstract

Social support of supervisors and colleagues is thought to enable people to cope better with the demanding work situations. More specifically, supportive, supervisory communication has been found to reduce uncertainty, promote discussion, build self-esteem, clarify role expectations and inculcate meaning in the job among employees. In an attempt to help educators explore the full benefits of supervisory social support in academic institutions, this article examines the satisfaction of teachers with their supervisors’ interpersonal communication skills in relation to job burn-out and growth satisfaction in the job in southern India. Data were collected from 140 educational professionals of schools, colleges and universities located in southern India. The findings reveal that teachers’ satisfaction with supervisors’ interpersonal communication skills is positively related to their growth satisfaction in the job and negatively related to burn-out. The interview data that substantiated the findings of this study also highlight important interpersonal communication skills that need to be practiced by supervisors in the educational institutions in southern India.