Don't Become the Manager Your Employees Hate. Avoid These Mistakes!

Posted August 2, 2016

Whether you are a first-time manager or a grizzled veteran, it's always easy to fall into bad managerial habits and slowly become that boss that people hate working for.

No, you don't have to be your employees' best friend or let them walk all over you. You should however embrace your role while establishing distinct expectations and boundaries with those around you.

Trying to do it all

As a frontline employee, you may have felt the need to take care of various tasks all by yourself. In fact, you may have been promoted based on a reputation for getting stuff done.

However, in a managerial role, you have to be team oriented, and that means letting go of the urge to do it all yourself. Your time should now be spent delegating, coaching and directing, rather than doing. This also means you may not be as in touch with the day-to-day details as you were before... and that's okay!

Failing to communicate

In many businesses, most workers don't know what's happening around them or they aren't being told the big picture. Knowledge is power, and some managers control the flow of information to make sure they're the most informed, and therefore the most powerful, individuals.

Other managers don't communicate, not out of the desire to stay above their employees, but because they are naturally introverted. These managers are particularly hard to find when the going gets tough or bad news has to be delivered.

And, still more managers simply don't prioritize regular communication, effectively "forgetting" to keep their workers informed.

In today's business environment, solutions and innovations can come from anywhere. Empowering your employees with information only increases the chances they'll come up with a way to boost productivity or lower costs.

When an employee does innovate, the entire team benefits, including the team's leader.

Not recognizing employees

Most managers want to recognize their employees. They just aren't sure how to do it in the most effective way. This uncertainty often leads to high-performing employees feeling neglected or underappreciated.

No matter how big the achievement, every employee appreciates being recognized and praised in front of their colleagues. Recognizing employees supports worker morale, helps to reduce turnover and stimulates productivity.

Another benefit of public recognition: It doesn't cost the company anything.

Not changing with the times

Managers have a way of finding what works, and sticking to their methods no matter what. This kind of stubbornness can lead to trouble if the business or environment changes around them.

Good managers must always be ready for change. In fact, they are often on the lookout for changes coming down the line. They prepare for change and embrace it with a positive attitude.

At Ambassador, we work with managers to provide them with a talent acquisition solution that helps their team succeed. If you are currently looking for a custom staffing solution, please contact a leading employment firm in the South today!