Shawn Henfling reveals a few mistakes new managers often make that can lead to abject failure.
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CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve just been promoted to a position of leadership. You’ve gone from tiny cubicle in the Cubicular Sea to the corner office with as many as FOUR people working right underneath you. You, oh youngster of the office, now have direct reports with twice your experience and they are both bitter and jealous. You have a plan though. You’ve got it figured out. All you have to do is tell them what to do and they’ll do it. That’s all it takes to be a manager. Kim Jong Un has nothing on you. Speak and so it shall be.
It’s not that easy, but many entrees into the world of management don’t realize what it takes to be a great manager and leader let alone a good one. There are road maps everywhere. Thousands of people make a good living as motivational speakers, teachers of management skills, and leadership guides. From “The One Minute Manager” to “Good to Great” there are books you can read giving great advice. I’m not that guy. But I will give you a few hints on things you should NEVER do.
- Trivialize your employees problems. Just because it may seem small and insignificant does not mean it isn’t having a huge impact on a persons life. Minimalizing their problems shows you don’t care. Even if you don’t actually care, fake it. The practice will pay dividends.
- Don’t bother following up. Just tell them what to do and trust that they’ll do it. Later, when you get in trouble for unfinished tasks, absolutely don’t blame yourself. It’s totally not your fault. Except it is. Trust but verify.
- Keep everything to yourself and don’t trust your people with any details beyond those they absolutely must have. People love feeling included. Make your charges feel like a part of the inner circle. Tell them more than they need to know and identify the folks that are hungry for more.
- Totally be jealous of people who do their jobs better than you can. Holding people with potential back is a quick way to breed animosity and backstabbing.
- Take all of the good credit. Spread the wealth when it comes to good attention and accept the blame when fallout happens. If you failed, chances are you did a great job at number 2.
- Never bother answering questions. People despise it when they ask a question and days or weeks go by without getting an answer. It will endear you to them in ways you can’t begin to comprehend.
- Never, under any circumstances, roll your sleeves up and help out. Staying out of their way can be a good thing, but you have to show a willingness to lend a hand. Loyalty is built through shared struggle.
- Complain about your team to other people. Stabbing your folks in the back won’t win you bonus points. You’ll just have everyone wondering what you say about them when they aren’t around. Nobody will trust you with anything.
- Don’t worry about accountability. Believe it or not, people like when they know big brother is watching. They want to know that if someone isn’t pulling their weight there will be consequences.
- Never, ever listen to suggestions from the team. If they had any good ideas they’d have your job right? No. The best ideas come from the people actually doing the work. Listen to the ideas, present them if they are good and give the employees credit. It’ll work wonders for morale especially. It goes back to number 1. You care.
It really isn’t that hard to be a good leader and manager. Remember that communication is a two way street. People want to know whats going on and how well they’re doing. Think of the best supervisors you’ve ever had and chances are they managed to avoid all ten of these rules. Remember, you are human and you’ll make mistakes. The key is to keep yourself from repeating them. Being a good leader and manager is more about building relationships and accountability than it is telling people what to do.
Photo Credit: Pedro Vezini/flickr
Great list Shawn!
I have seen all of these in action. Might I suggest another based on a common reaction from new junior leaders when the temperature gets turned up?
11. Don’t forget to remind them that you’re in charge. Everyone knows you’re the supervisor; now they want to see you lead. The second you mutter words to the effect of ‘I’m the one in charge here!” you’ve lost them forever. If you practice ‘my way or the highway’ leadership, you are doomed to failure.
So you mean “BECAUSE I SAID SO!”? I always thought that totally belonged in management….
Unfortunately, managers particularly CEOs are still rewarded no matter how bad their management style is and always manage to land another job somewhere else.