Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, but in business the mistakes that Managers make can trickle up & down the ladder affecting both those above and below them. Tom Peters, who was named one of the most influential thinkers in 2014, discusses the common mistakes made by management in his latest book, The Excellence Dividend. Majority of the time, Managers are fully aware of what they need to do to succeed, but still falter.
- Not listening. Communication with colleagues should be respectful and work two ways. Peters claims that effective communication isn’t just about talking; it is also the ability to listen and understand what’s happening on the other side of the fence. Listening is another way of showing you care.
- Micromanaging. This is a no brainer. Leaders that ‘dominate’ only do harm to their efforts as this decreases motivation in others. Managers should trust their staff and give them the autonomy they deserve.
- Neglecting to put employees first. It’s those employees that have direct contact with customers that can make or break a connection so they need to be looked after. A happy employee equals a happy customer.
- Interpreting excellence as a long term strategy. The present moment is where the magic happens! If minds are in the future, they will easily overlook the present. Businesses can improve within minutes, not just years.
- Executing poorly. If conflict and obstacles are lingering for awhile, someone isn’t executing properly. Problems should be resolved immediately. Peters says, “Poor cross-functional coordination and communication is the principal element in the delay of everything.”
- Disregarding women as leaders. Women are consumers and can relate more to the market than most men due to their buying culture. Don’t underestimate the leadership of a woman either – they tend to show more empathy, which is also a plus.
- Failing to grow. Push ego aside. No matter what level a person is at, there’s always room to grow and improve. Leaders and organisations tend to focus on developing everyone but upper management.
- Failing to develop a culture. Peters reckons the first priority for all CEO’s is to create a setting/culture. A strong company culture attracts the best talent and helps retain that talent. A positive environment keeps people happy, productive, motivated, and even inspires creativity and innovation.