New
Managers and Leaders Beware!
There
are some mistakes that new managers and leaders
are particularly prone to making.
If
you are new to supervising people take care to
avoid these errors.
See
below for your free bonus resources.
7
Mistakes Managers Make
by
Colleen Kettenhofen
Many managers, supervisors and team leaders are
promoted to leadership positions based on their
"hard skills" or technical skills.
Yet,
as new managers, most of them have never had any
formal training in people-skills, and how to communicate
effectively. And now, they're managing people!
In over eleven years conducting management skills
training, here are what I see as the seven most
common mistakes managers make:
1.
Practicing favoritism when managing friends
and former colleagues. Don't socialize
all the time with that one friend, and not include
other workers. If you're going to socialize with
a close friend you manage, make certain you socialize
with your other employees as well. For example,
if you go to lunch with a friend you supervise,
make a point of including the others. Beware the
"boss's pet " problem. In other words,
others will look at your relationship with that
person as being based solely on a friendship.
2. Poor delegation. As managers,
many of us are doers. Let's face it. We like control.
And that usually means we are not delegating enough.
Years ago as a new manager, I used to think, "Well,
if I want it done right I better do it myself."
Or, "In the time it takes me to train someone,
I might as well do it myself." Don't give
the work to someone else because the difficult
employee works too slowly or makes mistakes. Don't
do it all yourself either. Remember, your job
is to help grow, develop and mature the employee.
If you don't want to delegate a whole project
to an employee, at least delegate a role within
that project.
3.
Poor communication. And often,
not really having an "open door" policy.
A big complaint from employees is the manager
who is not sharing job knowledge, skills and ideas.
It makes employees feel intimidated. They don't
feel supported. If you want to be seen as someone
who practices effective management skills, it's
imperative that you practice good people-skills.
Work on your communication.
4. Not being flexible to change and open
to new ideas. Be open to what employees
have to say. Even if you don't always agree. At
least acknowledge them. It shows you're open-minded
and a good listener. Part of being an effective
manager or supervisor means practicing good listening
skills.
5.
"Do as I say, not as I do" mentality.
For example, the manager emphasizes that employees
must report to work on time, but he/she is always
late themselves. If you're going to be late, make
sure employees understand it's for a good reason.
Such as the fact that while you arrive late, you
also work late. Like it or not, they look to you
as a role model. To see if you're practicing what
you preach.
6.
No giving credit where credit is due.
You know what it's like if you've ever had a manager
or supervisor who took YOUR great idea and ran
with it. They take the credit. And, if the idea
doesn't work, they blame it on you! Give credit
to an employee where credit is due. Give specific,
immediate praise where it is warranted. Behavior
rewarded is behavior repeated.
7.
Micromanaging. This is a huge
mistake that managers and supervisors make. I
hear about it all the time. And, from many managers
themselves…about their own managers! Let
the employee do their work. Otherwise, it makes
them feel you don't trust them. Or, that you don't
have confidence in them.
"Any
man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes
right, but it takes a slightly bigger man to acknowledge
instantly and without reservation that he is in
error." General Peyton C. Marsh
About the author: Colleen Kettenhofen
is a speaker, workplace expert, & co-author
of "The Masters of Success," as featured
on the Today Show, along with Ken Blanchard and
Jack Canfield. For free articles, e-newsletter,
or to order the book visit www.ColleenSpeaks.com
Topics: leadership, success, difficult people,
public speaking. Colleen is available for keynotes,
breakout sessions and seminars. (971)212-2412.
www.ColleenSpeaks.com
The
Art of Influence
 How
to get what you want from people easily, every single time
This is a wonderful audioseminar that you can download immediately to
play on your computer or mp3 player. It will have you leading and managing
really well as soon as you apply all the fantastic insight it offers.
Click
here for more details
|
 Your
Free Bonus!
Now
Download Your Free Bonus Resources:
 Yes!
Please send me my free copies
of Leading Well plus The
Top Leadership Tips Workbook
and other proven resources and
information to help me mentor, manage and
lead.
We
respect your privacy.
Your name and email address will
never be rented or sold. |
Click
here to Tell your Friends about this site
|
