Background: Supervision is a critical component underlying the pedagogy of the Competency-based Fellowship Program (CBFP) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. However, there is limited literature to guide supervisors and supervisees as to how to best manage the process of supervision.

Objectives: To review the literature relating to supervision under the CBFP and make several practical recommendations about how a supervisee can actively work to get value from supervision. Guidance as to how a supervisee can best work to maintain the supervisory relationship when the process breaks down is also provided.

Methods: Narrative review of the literature and opinion derived from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders (trainee, junior consultant, scholarly project supervisor and senior administrator).

Findings: Supervisees may benefit in taking an active role in seeking feedback, finding value in criticism and building autonomy. It is also important for them to consider what value a supervisor can offer and maintain realistic expectations.

Conclusions: Trainees can benefit from taking an active role in planning and managing their supervision to maximize their learning.