Manager: Mistakes to Avoid
12 September 2013
Read by 2137 persons
Of course, it's easy to list mistakes to avoid as a manager when you're not a manager... Of course. But managing isn't innate. It's also learned. Here is a non-exhaustive list of things to avoid at all costs.
1. Being Omnipotent.
While it's true that productivity is higher with an omnipotent manager, it's also true that this same productivity collapses drastically when the boss is absent. It's therefore preferable, for everyone, to naturally and efficiently put in place a real organization and team work structure. Promoting autonomy will always be a positive approach and generate satisfactory results.
Furthermore, this approach has the advantage of freeing you from unnecessary constraints of daily operations and allowing you to address issues that are more important to you.
So, think about mobilizing and involving your employees by encouraging them to make decisions that are theirs, giving them a certain (and definite) margin of freedom of action, but let them search for and find the "how" to achieve their objective(s).
2. Being a Buddy.
While it's definitely more pleasant to be a "buddy-manager," it's also an extremely uncomfortable position in case of disagreement and/or conflict. It's difficult to set goals and be demanding if you're too close. This doesn't prevent being kind, cordial, and maintaining real proximity.
3. Thinking that Managing is Innate.
Of course, there are natures suited to the function of manager, but without method and technique, it's safe to say that it's a complex activity that requires adopting contradictory attitudes. The manager must not be self-centered but focused on their collaborators in order to receive necessary, even essential, information.
4. Being Too Impatient.
Good management means being able to take a step back and analyze given situations. Going slowly means gaining the time to avoid having to start over where you failed. Taking the time to measure and weigh before starting also saves future time.
5. Waiting and Doing Nothing.
As stupid as it is to say: when you do nothing, nothing happens. Unless waiting is a thoughtful tactic, it's an attitude to avoid.
6. Making Categorical Judgements.
While evaluating facts and results is integral to your responsibilities, you must absolutely avoid making negative judgments without fully understanding the current situation. Indeed, these peremptory judgments can have consequences contrary to your wishes and irreversible. So before judging, question, inquire as much as possible. Remain open and flexible without weakness.
7. Not Keeping Commitments.
Be reliable. When you say something, do it. Whether it's for you or for others. Trust yourself and be trustworthy.
It's by setting the example that you create a healthy and positive work environment.
8. Being Unpredictable.
Your collaborators must know what you think and want. Clearly, frankly, and precisely. You must be predictable for everyone, in the sense that your directions and wishes must be known. It's necessary that everyone is able to position themselves in your absence and therefore know in advance if the action taken is in the expected direction.
The ReKrute.com Team
Head of Communications-ReKrute
1. Being Omnipotent.
While it's true that productivity is higher with an omnipotent manager, it's also true that this same productivity collapses drastically when the boss is absent. It's therefore preferable, for everyone, to naturally and efficiently put in place a real organization and team work structure. Promoting autonomy will always be a positive approach and generate satisfactory results.
Furthermore, this approach has the advantage of freeing you from unnecessary constraints of daily operations and allowing you to address issues that are more important to you.
So, think about mobilizing and involving your employees by encouraging them to make decisions that are theirs, giving them a certain (and definite) margin of freedom of action, but let them search for and find the "how" to achieve their objective(s).
2. Being a Buddy.
While it's definitely more pleasant to be a "buddy-manager," it's also an extremely uncomfortable position in case of disagreement and/or conflict. It's difficult to set goals and be demanding if you're too close. This doesn't prevent being kind, cordial, and maintaining real proximity.
3. Thinking that Managing is Innate.
Of course, there are natures suited to the function of manager, but without method and technique, it's safe to say that it's a complex activity that requires adopting contradictory attitudes. The manager must not be self-centered but focused on their collaborators in order to receive necessary, even essential, information.
4. Being Too Impatient.
Good management means being able to take a step back and analyze given situations. Going slowly means gaining the time to avoid having to start over where you failed. Taking the time to measure and weigh before starting also saves future time.
5. Waiting and Doing Nothing.
As stupid as it is to say: when you do nothing, nothing happens. Unless waiting is a thoughtful tactic, it's an attitude to avoid.
6. Making Categorical Judgements.
While evaluating facts and results is integral to your responsibilities, you must absolutely avoid making negative judgments without fully understanding the current situation. Indeed, these peremptory judgments can have consequences contrary to your wishes and irreversible. So before judging, question, inquire as much as possible. Remain open and flexible without weakness.
7. Not Keeping Commitments.
Be reliable. When you say something, do it. Whether it's for you or for others. Trust yourself and be trustworthy.
It's by setting the example that you create a healthy and positive work environment.
8. Being Unpredictable.
Your collaborators must know what you think and want. Clearly, frankly, and precisely. You must be predictable for everyone, in the sense that your directions and wishes must be known. It's necessary that everyone is able to position themselves in your absence and therefore know in advance if the action taken is in the expected direction.
The ReKrute.com Team
Head of Communications-ReKrute
