Published on July 29th, 2022
So, you have just come out of a meeting with your boss and have found out that you are going to be promoted to team manager! Bravo! Or perhaps you are looking to set up your own business and have just finished hiring your team. Bravo, too!
In this new role, there will be many things to consider. Managing people is not a straightforward task, and it can be a bit of a challenge at first to identify the kind of leadership skills that you have, and which ones could use a bit of work.
With that in mind, there are some areas and tactics that, whatever work you are in, you will want to avoid like the plague to be a good and effective manager. Here are 5 of them.
1. Avoiding Blame
Most people have had a manager or boss at some point in their life who failed to be accountable for their actions and blamed it on other staff members. This is a bad trait and will earn you a lot of enemies in your new role and may even result in staff members quitting.
If you are not good at admitting mistakes, you will need to change that when you move into a leadership role. There are courses available to help you with this, so you won’t have to do it alone. Why not build up this skill online with an online EdD program?
2. Micromanaging
You have a team of people who you are managing or you have chosen to perform certain tasks. You do not need to peer over their shoulders!
Micromanaging is a big no-no that can seriously irritate your staff. Why? Because it drains staff creativity, motivation, and of course, it sends a strong message that you do not trust them.
Have daily or weekly meetings, of course, but do not feel the need to oversee everything that your team is doing. It is ineffective at best and a cause for your burnout and employees quitting at worst.
3. Powerplay
You will never get anywhere in the world of management by being abusive with your power or engaging in powerplay.
Of course, if your staff makes a mistake, call them up on it. But do not take advantage of their errors and play into the ‘I’m the boss, I outrank you’ dynamic.
The power you have is a privilege; it is not a tool that you can throw around to bully and intimidate other members of your team.
4. Favoritism
Most people have seen this in the workplace. Two members of staff seem to be best friends (or closer), and thus, in each other’s eyes, they can do nothing wrong.
Even if you have a favorite staff member due to their hard work and dedication, try not to show it. It can create lower morale among the other employees. Instead, aim to focus on the skills of each member of your team and encourage them all equally.
5. Avoid Conflict Resolution
So, members of your team have fallen out and it is causing disruption and tension in the office.
The worst thing you can do is avoid it, as it may lead to a fight or a member of the team quitting. Aim to negotiate and deescalate the conflict and, if necessary, get human resources involved if it is serious.
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