{"id":525,"date":"2022-02-28T11:47:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/?p=525"},"modified":"2025-08-21T16:20:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:20:25","slug":"8-mistakes-managers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/8-mistakes-managers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Leadership Mistakes Managers Make (and How to Avoid Them)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Among the many challenges facing managers today, some of the most common relate to how they manage their team and optimize their work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritizing tasks, time management, decision-making, and team-building are just a few of the responsibilities managers are required to juggle. So, whether you\u2019re new to the management role or have several years of experience, here\u2019s a look at some common leadership and management mistakes you want to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common leadership mistakes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

#1: Trying to do it all<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re busy, you have more on your mind and face tighter time constraints. But the busier you are, the more decisions you need to make, which means you could experience decision fatigue. The result of this? You choose to make easier but unwise decisions instead of making the right decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut down on the number of decisions you make in a day, conserving your mental energy for more important decisions. For example, decide what you\u2019re going to wear the day before so when you wake up in the morning the decision has already been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: Undefined goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common leadership mistake managers make in their jobs is often not setting clear and defined goals for their team. These can be both overall and individual goals, without which employees can be left feeling unmotivated, confused, and unsure about what they\u2019re trying to achieve, both within their organization and on a personal professional level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a manager, you should ensure you have a clear understanding of what your company\u2019s overarching goals are. You should then be able to filter these down into the broader goals of your team. From there, you can start to define the individual goals and objectives<\/a> for each team member. By doing so, you can ensure that every employee has a clear understanding of their purpose within the company, as well as how to achieve their objectives in a way that aligns with the organization\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3: Not getting to know your team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An error that both new and experienced managers can make is not taking the time, or making any real concerted effort, to get to know their team members on a personal level. Often, they focus instead on optimizing productivity<\/a> through task management and success incentives because it\u2019s easier and less time-consuming \u2013 but this is actually a top mistake managers make in their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, don\u2019t hide behind the convenience of technology, like email or a task management system \u2013 prioritize face-to-face interactions. Consider having short team check-ins every day, or a weekly meeting where your team is able to share their wins, or current challenges, both work-related and personal. Another option is to set up one-on-one time with your individual team members. This allows you to check on how everyone is coping, give and receive feedback, and most importantly, develop a unique relationship with each person you\u2019re working with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4: Being a reactive manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A mistake managers, and especially new managers, make is to immediately try and solve each and every problem that crops up, themselves. Although this might be a natural reaction, it can have detrimental effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of simply jumping into action to solve a problem, rather make time to prioritize and strategize. Proactively planning ahead means you\u2019ll not only be able to anticipate potential problems, but it\u2019ll also allow you to be less reactive because you\u2019ll know which issues you can leave to your team to manage, and which will actually require your attention and response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5: Not shifting your perspective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a manager or leader, it’s easy to take a one-track approach when it comes to decision-making or to simply view problems and challenges from just your perspective. It\u2019s also surprising, considering how often perspective-taking appears in problem-solving literature, that so few leaders invest the time and effort in developing this skill.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by asking yourself what someone else might do in your situation. Not only can this help to provide you with a more objective perspective, but it can also help you approach the decision more rationally. Even if you disagree with someone else\u2019s answer or approach, it may open your eyes to a viewpoint you haven\u2019t considered before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6: Attitude<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When considering that a manager\u2019s demeanor or mood can influence whether a team feels relaxed and motivated or stressed and under pressure, a common management mistake is not managing your own attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about the kind of work environment you want to create, and strive to be an example of that. Always try to maintain composure, as well as handle each situation, whether positive or negative, in a fair, calculated, and professional manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some quick tips:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n