Why do some managers fail? Knowing what you shouldn’t do is as useful as knowing what you should, so here we consider some of the basic mistakes that lead managers to failure.

 

1. NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAIL
An effective manager must know how to organise and stay on top of their various duties. It’s important that they’re not “too busy” to change their plans or focus all their attention on an urgent task and they should get into the habit of asking efficient employees to take care of the details.

2. REFUSING TO DO MENIAL JOBS
A good manager must be ready to take on any kind of work if the circumstances so require – even jobs they would normally ask others to do.

3. WANTING TO BE PAID FOR WHAT YOU KNOW AND NOT WHAT YOU DO
People aren’t paid for what they know, but what they do or have done by others.

4. WORRYING ABOUT COMPETITION FROM JUNIOR STAFF
A manager who worries about being ousted by one of their junior staff members will almost certainly see their fears realised sooner or later. A good manager trains employees to be capable of assisting them effectively. With their in-depth knowledge of their work and charismatic personality, a manager should be able to make junior staff more efficient and encourage them to be more productive and effective than they would have been without their manager’s help.

5. LACKING IMAGINATION
Without imagination, a manager cannot deal with urgent tasks or develop plans to provide effective guidance for their junior staff members.

6. LACKING CONTROL
A manager who lacks control – whatever the form this may take – will not command the respect of junior staff and will also find that it saps their energy and endurance.

7. BEING EGOTISTIC
A true manager does not seek praise and is happy to see more junior members of staff take the credit, as they know that most people are more driven in their work if they feel their efforts are being recognised and that they are progressing.