Managers? Biggest Blunders

Nobody's perfect, including the boss. Managers, we polled recently, acknowledged making a number of mistakes, from not recognizing staff accomplishments to inadequate communication to poor hiring decisions. Here is a sampling.

Withholding praise was a problem cited by many:
"I didn't give recognition to someone who turned out to be one of my best employees and soon lost her."
"I didn't give credit when it was due to individuals who made major contributions."
"I failed to acknowledge someone who needed to be rewarded. I have regretted that for years."

Letting poor performance go unchecked:
"I kept someone on who should have been let go."
"I didn't recognize that someone was in way over her head."
"Keeping a person in a position where he failed was my biggest mistake."

Not hiring the right staff:
"I encouraged a group manager to hire an internal candidate when an external candidate was better qualified."
"Hiring people who are too similar to me has been a mistake."
"I hired an executive-level individual for a much less senior-level job."

Not pay attention to what's going on with staff:
"I didn't pick up on signals from disgruntled employees." I regret not seeing the signs that someone was going to leave.
"I failed to clearly understand an employee's situation and ended up losing him."
"I wish I had provided more opportunities for subordinates to engage in projects they enjoyed."

False assumptions often led to trouble:
"I assumed I knew what my employees' problems were instead of talking to them. Now I talk to my employees instead of assuming that I know what's going on."
"I assumed someone's motives were like mine and he would want to make his job a career."
"I assumed someone was very knowledgeable when she wasn't. It backfired on me when a presentation was made."

Although management mistakes can be a learning experience, some lessons come at a hefty price. "I delegated some work on a project and never checked to see if it was completed. A year later, I discovered it had never been done, and it cost the company about a million dollars."

Still, while errors can be painful, it's best to acknowledge them and move on. "Early in my career, I didn't admit my mistakes, and it was very damaging. I have since changed my ways." Over time, however, most supervisors learn from their mistakes and are able to improve their managerial performance.

Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.

---

Deciding What to Delegate

DECIDING WHAT TO DELEGATE: Once the benefits of delegation are... Read More

How To Get What You Really Want

As a small business owner, entrepreneur or independent professional, it's... Read More

Good Idea Generation ? A Process

It seems incongruous that good idea generation can be a... Read More

The New Five Truths of Employee Motivation

Motivation is a term that is so widely used, yet... Read More

How To Conduct Effective Meetings

Before you call your next meeting, the FIRST step is... Read More

Real Costs in Distribution and What it Means To Your Company

Ever feel that all the lawyers in thh Country need... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management :- Thought Leadership

Leadership is only sustainable when leaders consistently come up with... Read More

More Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 2 of 2)

Does your company need to retain the services of a... Read More

Managers? Biggest Blunders

Nobody's perfect, including the boss. Managers, we polled recently, acknowledged... Read More

Effective Meetings Begin With a Real Agenda

Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More

Assertiveness Helps Accomplish Everything

When trying to get something accomplished, assertive behavior is the... Read More

Business Opportunity - Leverage Your Employees!

As a business asset, they don't sit well on the... Read More

Problem-Solving Success Tip: Measure the Right Things.

Measure the right things. It's not enough just to measure-you... Read More

Telephone Techniques: Boost Your Productivity With Effective Phoning

One of the things that most impacts people's productivity is... Read More

Keeping Team Meetings Vibrant

Meetings can be the life-blood of an organisation or the... Read More

3 Innovation Keys - Do Your Innovative Efforts Need More Power?

Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More

Managing Employees Is A Little Like Herding Cats

Q: I started my small business about a year ago... Read More

Appraisal Systems - Not Living Up to Their Objectives

Almost, if not all organisations have them, they've been around... Read More

How to Enhance Quality in Your Business

Every business must strive to provide quality products and services... Read More

Firing Someone Without Resentment

Firing, sacking, letting go or terminating people is unpleasant. There... Read More

Reprimanding Marginal Employees

THE MARGINAL PERFORMER: Every manager must, from time to time,... Read More

Success in Business Means Managing Negative Emotions

You may have the MBA but if an internal critic... Read More

Have You Always Thought That The Best Ideas Come From Research Or Management? Think Again

Many entrepreneurs and chief executive officers are unaware that there... Read More

A Rare Leadership Skill: Dealing With People Who Want Out By Offering Crowns For Convoy

As a leader, you'll inevitably be faced with people wanting... Read More

Getting Software Developed for Your Business

At some point, your business is going to need to... Read More

What You Should Know if People Dont Buy From You and People Dont Visit Your Web Site

It is essential to understand what work and what do... Read More

Structure Your Payment Offers to Sell More Products

The way you structure your payment offers can increase your... Read More

Meeting Your Meeting Expectations

"To get something done a meeting should consist of no... Read More

Delegation for Business Leaders - How Letting Go Works

A leader's role is to focus on those areas of... Read More

Employee Turnover: Is It Eating Up Your Profits?

Keeping the cost of doing business down, yet providing a... Read More

Build Rapport Fast! - Eight Easy Steps

Building rapport is all about creating a relationship, in the... Read More

Uncovering the Secrets to Effective Performance Management

In many ways there are no secrets to implementing effective... Read More

Choosing the Right Corporate Training

According to a Gallup Poll, 80 percent of employees said... Read More