We all know the feeling bad management strikes into the hearts of employees. They become disheartened and stressed out, productivity dips, and turnover ensues. Bad management also robs companies of a cohesive and supportive corporate culture. But there is a silver lining—good management is a learned skill. By knowing how to recognize the traits of bad management, you can identify what you may be doing wrong and take steps to turn it around!
Three Bad Habits Managers Should Avoid
On your quest for the best management practices, be sure to steer clear of the following—and make plans to improve any bad habits:
Staying way too busy.
Sure, managers have a lot to do. And it may seem noble to take on more and more and more tasks. But remember that when your schedule is booked solid, you don’t actually have time leftover to manage. A key aspect of good management is being available to guide your employees when they have questions or need support. Plus, it’s good to keep at least a little time open for situations that may pop up that need your attention.
Managing from a distance.
Every employee/manager relationship should include regular 1:1s and feedback. Regular reviews give your staff a benchmark with which to judge their performance—letting them know what to keep up and what to improve. So using “one-size-fits-all” measurements of employee performance negates the opportunity for individualized reviews and assessments. And since every employee is unique, it’s important to spend time every month or so to understand your workers and their specific career needs.
Overlooking employee ideas and feedback.
Bad managers think they are always right and have all the answers. Good managers know the workplace is dynamic and they should always be learning—even from their staff. So if you ask for your employees’ reactions to a new policy or something that impacts their day-to-day work, be sure to review and consider their thoughts. Your workers will provide very strong clues or suggestions for how to continuously improve your workplace, but you need to listen. And act accordingly.
Very few are born good managers—most need to work at it! So remember that with a little time and practice, you can sharpen your management skills and become much more approachable to the talent that keeps your business running.
In need of staff supplementation?
A full staff is another aspect that helps a business run smoothly. If yours is running thin and you’re looking for new employees in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, reach out to the experienced professionals at Snelling Georgia Group. We’ll work with you to find and place the right workers for your open job opportunities. Contact us today to learn more!
