Are you a new manager? Or maybe you’re a seasoned manager looking for tips to take your management style to the next level. Either way, managers at all stages of their careers should take care to avoid these five common mistakes.
Micromanaging
One of the easiest ways to drive your employees up the wall is to constantly hover them as they work. Instead, simply give them the tools and information they need to succeed, and then let them do their jobs. Make sure they know who to go to for help when needed, and check in regularly, but otherwise, show your employees that you trust them.
Poor Communication
Your team members deserve to know what’s going on, especially when it could affect their jobs, so keep them in the loop. Is there talk of a merger? Tell them what you know about it. Are layoffs coming? Be honest. Are you adopting a new technology, restructuring your teams, or starting an additional line of business? Let your employees know.
It’s also a smart idea to hold regular group and one-on-one meetings. Consider implementing shift change reports so that everyone coming in knows what happened on the previous shift. Once every few months, hold a larger all-hands meeting. Check in with each team member at least weekly. Also, be sure to walk the floor every day.
Favoritism
Few managers actually mean to play favorites, but unfortunately, it’s something that can happen inadvertently. To guard against it, implement a system for assigning tasks. This might be based on seniority or rotations or something else altogether, but it should be fair and impartial.
Being Rigid
John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” The same is true at work. No matter how organized you are, things will not always go as expected. The best managers are able to think critically and make decisions on the fly. The goal is to keep your teams moving as smoothly as possible toward a common goal, but how you get there should be open to change.
Treating Everyone the Same
Equity in the workplace is a major issue for employers today, as it should be. However, too many managers confuse equality for equity. Equality means treating everyone exactly the same, which could result in your employees’ needs not getting met. Equity means giving everyone the tools they need to succeed, which could vary dramatically between workers. Recognize and celebrate your team member’s individuality, and strive to ensure that each person is best set up for success.
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