Being a manager comes with experience. You will need a foundation of knowledge and natural skills, but you will also need to become a manager to learn how best to manage people. This is because every industry and every team will be different. When you become a manager you will need to learn about the needs of your business, as well as the team members, so you can learn and adapt your leadership skills to best suit the situation.
It is not always easy to be a manager. There are a multitude of challenges that may arise. While there are many things you know you should do and implement as a manager, there may also be things that you need to prevent.
Let’s explore the top mistakes to avoid if you want to be a good manager.
Not making time for your employees
Time is one of the most valuable things that you can give to your employees. It doesn’t cost anything to do, but it can be a great gesture. It is very easy, as a manager, to make the mistake of getting too wrapped up in your own tasks and responsibilities. While you may have a lot of these as a manager, it is important that you make yourself available to your employees.
This means that they feel like they can approach you when they need help or support to meet their goals. The last thing you want to do is have your team not feel they can come to you, and leave not knowing what to do. You can improve this by setting up good channels of communication, so your team knows how to reach you. You can also block out time to specifically check in with your team.
Micromanaging your team
Micromanaging a team of employees is a huge mistake to make. While you might know how best to complete tasks, you may also want to be able to support your team, but doing it in a way that interferes too much, can lead to unhappy employees. When you micromanage your team, you take the risk of making them feel inferior.
It leaves them feeling as if you have no confidence in them, and therefore, they lose confidence in themselves. You want your employees to be able to support themselves and come to you when they need it. They should be able to use their initiative to get work done and to have the space to be creative. Avoid micromanaging your team. Instead, learn how to trust them and give them space, all while finding a balance to be there for them at the same time.
Not setting the right boundaries
Boundaries are really important in business. Without them, you take the risk of having inappropriate relationships or processes in place. You want to be a friendly and approachable manager, however, there is a line that can often be crossed. As a manager, you will often need to delegate, make tough decisions, and be a good role model for your team. If you are too friendly with your team, it can often lead to being taken advantage of, or employees not having the respect that you deserve. Find a balance where you can be friendly and socialize with your team, but also gain the respect and value that you need as a manager to be able to lead them.
Not showing that you value them
Employees are working for you, and it is a normal human interest to need reassurance and validation. Not only that but when you have employees who work hard, it is nice to feel valued once in a while. As a manager, it is a big mistake to not show your employees how much you value them. It does not have to be a big gesture, but small things like celebrating achievements and making time for your team can go a long way. You should also ensure that you are paying your employees correctly and what they are worth, offer incentives for employees that work slightly different or unsociable hours, such as this differential pay example as well as start an employee recognition program.
Not setting goals and expectations
Goals and expectations are vital for anyone. They provide you with clear direction. Failing to set clear goals, and explain them in a way that your team will understand and be on board with, is a huge mistake. Without clear goals, your team will not know what they are working towards and lack motivation, they will not know the meaning behind their actions, or be able to prioritize their work accordingly. Not only will this make your employee’s work chaotic and stressful, but it will also slow down the business’s progress.
Make sure you set clear goals and even work with your team to set them. You can outline them to your team so they know what they need to do, and you should have regular updates with the team to see where you all are, how their actions are making a difference towards the goals, and what needs to be done, or any adaptations to the work or goals to ensure they are met. You should follow the SMART goals framework, and ensure the goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. This will ensure your employees know exactly what they are and what they need to do.
Not giving feedback
As well as praise and value, employees will also need feedback. Not giving feedback is a huge mistake, as it won’t help your employees learn from their mistakes or progress in their roles. All employees’ performance is reflected in the manager, so you must be upfront and honest with them. You should set up regular check-ins, and provide them with feedback and evidence of their performance. This will help them to understand where they are at, and what is expected of them. It also gives you a chance to support and guide them in the right direction. You manage a team, so their progression and happiness should be in your best interest.
Not setting a good example
When you become a manager, part of your role is to lead by example. If you have a bad attitude, don’t get work done, or are not very motivated, then your team is just going to follow in your footsteps. This is a big mistake, as when you have done this once, you have set the bar low and will not be able to gain the respect of your employees that you need to be a good manager. Make sure, from day one, you set a good example and be a good manager. Think about what you expect from your employees, in terms of their morale, work ethic, attitude, behavior, level of communication, and more, so you can set the right tone.
Lacking in communication
Insufficient communication can have a significantly negative impact on your team’s performance. Some managers make the mistake of not communicating enough or having the right channels in place, while others will micromanage and communicate too often. You will need to find the perfect balance of communication. You should think about the kind of work that you and your team do, the kind of support they need, and the individual communication styles of your team members. This will help you pull together the right tools and methods of communication.
Conclusion: Mistakes to Avoid If You Want to Be a Good Manager
Being a manager is no easy feat. Make sure you follow these top mistakes and avoid them at all costs.
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