296 THE ROI OF HUMAN CAPITAL
Princip le 10: The Key I s to Supervise; the
Supervisor Is th e Key
All evidence points to personal relationships as the corner-
stone of employee performance. The talented employee
depends on the supervisor for guidance, support, and devel-
opment. Throughout one’s career, the supervisor is the prin-
cipal crossroad for two-way communications. This person
interprets what is happening and what is coming. This per-
son describes how change will affect the employee. This per-
son defends the employee and is the primary channel
through which employee ambitions are fulfilled.
Principle 11: To Know the Future, Study the Past—
but Don’t Relive It
Do your homework. Study what has gone before, the good
and the bad. Then take that knowledge ...