The problem with most management guides is they tend to focus on what leaders should do to be effective. But not many guides talk about the things leaders should stop doing and the mistakes they should avoid.
Likewise, the majority of leadership guides dwell on the positive qualities and behaviors of a good leader, but not so much the off-putting behaviors that affect employee productivity and morale. And this is important, because as the saying goes, people quit their bosses, not their jobs.
If you’re someone in a leadership position, take a look at these four damaging management habits with a negative impact on employees.
Being Destructive with Your Feedback
Providing feedback and critique to an employee is part of a manager’s job. But when the feedback destroys instead of builds, you’re only damaging that person’s morale and performance. The same goes for criticisms that are not specific and not based on observed behaviors, as well as criticisms that are really just you nitpicking over trivial details. Always remember that feedback must be constructive and helpful.
Micromanaging
The desire to micromanage often comes with the good intention of wanting people to do their jobs properly. But when you’re constantly hovering over your employees’ shoulders and spending way too much time telling them what to do and what not to, you’re doing more harm than good. For starters, it shows employees you don’t trust them to do what they were hired to do in the first place. And that hit to their morale can be enough to cause them to quit their jobs.
Humiliating Employees in Public
This is a toxic behavior that no decent manager would do to their employees. To put it simply, there is never a proper time to verbally attack an employee, regardless of how bad they screwed up or how upset you are. Take a moment to compose yourself and talk to the individual in private.
Not Holding Yourself Accountable
Some managers are eager to take credit for the great work of their employees, but wash their hands and point fingers when something goes awry. Both behaviors are simply unacceptable. Great leaders hold themselves accountable for the work of their team members, especially when things don’t go according to plan. And when things go right, they give credit where it’s due.
For more leadership and management insights and guides, stay tuned to this blog. If you are looking for highly skilled talent but have trouble finding them, let the staffing services specialists of Star Staffing help. Contact our experts to learn more about how our staffing solutions can help you.