Heavy is the head that wears the Crown, they say, but heavier it is for business leaders. They have a lot of responsibilities to juggle and quite a range of skills to learn and implement in their workplace or business processes. Teams, however, might have fewer responsibilities but they wear crowns too because they oversee certain business areas and ensure success.
Therefore, amid their grueling schedules, they easily make mistakes that could impair the staff and business. Some mistakes are so severe that they could put an end to a company’s operations. To avoid that situation, we have put together common mistakes business leaders and employees should avoid.
No Leader is Perfect
Since you already have a thriving organization, all you need is to keep being that positive role model. Brimco states that when you have a solid leadership culture, you can outpace your competitors by 20%. You don’t need to be perfect but more present. Here are five mistakes you should avoid as a business leader:
1. Regular feedback is crucial
Let’s assume you’re building a house without a blueprint. You’d probably end up with a crooked roof or more defects. That’s how employees grow without regular feedback. Most business leaders think a yearly employee appraisal is enough, but it’s like waiting a whole year to tell a group of workers they’ve been working for nothing.
To truly help people get better, you need to have a tete-a-tete with them more often – maybe a quick check-in every few weeks or meetings to discuss things. Furthermore, consider employing a quarterly or monthly employee appraisal approach.
2. Do you value and invest in your employees?
If you don’t care about your employees, they won’t care about you or your company. To keep employees happy, take the time to truly understand them. Listen to their ideas, learn what they’re good at, and where they need improvement. Give them the right tools and support to do their best work.
When you show that you care about their growth, they’ll feel valued and work harder. Consider giving opportunities to scale their careers by registering them for various certification courses.
3. Have you shared your goals for the year with them?
To succeed, your employees need to work together towards the same goals. But how can they do that if they don’t know what those goals are?
You need to communicate the overall mission of your company and break it down into smaller, achievable goals for each team. This helps employees understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture and gives them a shared purpose to strive for.
4. You need to track everything
When you start a business, you’re constantly learning and figuring things out. It’s essential to keep records of everything, even things you don’t think are important. You never know how your business will grow.
Even with a plan, things might change quickly. You might need to hire many people unexpectedly, or not. If you don’t document what you’ve learned, it will be difficult to train new employees and ensure everyone is on the same page. Although these trainings fall under the Human Resource Department, there should be a review of the plan to ensure they’re in line with your business culture.
5. How much trust do you have in your staff?
Managers can sometimes, unintentionally, push employees away by not believing in their full potential. If a manager doubts an employee’s capabilities, they might not provide the support, feedback, or opportunities needed for growth. If you cannot bring yourself to assign them to a big project, test them with some and see if they’re capable of bringing home the medal.
What about Employees?
We’re human and we’re bound to make mistakes, right? That might be correct but there are some mistakes employees should avoid impairing their company’s reputation, bottom line, and security. Here are a few things to consider:
· Don’t miss deadlines
Let’s go down memory lane a bit. Do you recall that uncomfortable experience back in school when you were punished for not completing an assignment? That’s to let you that right from our childhood, we were made to understand the importance of meeting deadlines for future purposes.
Start tasks promptly to avoid rushing and ensure you have enough time. Use a planner or spreadsheet to keep track of all your projects and their deadlines. Also, minimize distractions while working to maintain focus and efficiency.
· Taking feedback personally
Constructive criticism, most times, feels uncomfortable. However, it is essential for personal and professional growth. When receiving feedback from your team lead or managers, actively listen and use it to create an improvement plan. That demonstrates your commitment to learning and development. To further show your initiative, consider scheduling a brief follow-up meeting to discuss your progress.
· Having an “I know it all attitude”
It’s okay to ask for help when you’re unsure about a project’s specifics. Trying to guess or act like you can do it all by yourself can lead to bigger mistakes. Your trainers, supervisors, and teammates want you to succeed because it benefits everyone. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or additional information when you need it.
· Adaptation
Workplace norms can vary between organizations. What was acceptable in your previous role may not be appropriate in your current environment. Take the initiative to observe and adapt to the new company culture. That may involve arriving early to better understand how things operate within your new workplace.
Limit Business Errors and Boost Your ROI
According to Gettysburg, an average person works about 90,000 hours in their lifetime. Work can often extend beyond traditional office hours, physically and mentally.
Given the significant time investment required, a toxic or unhealthy work environment can become extremely challenging and even unbearable. So what should you do as a business leader to prevent that?
· Hire candidates that fit your work culture
A healthy company culture is essential for a successful workplace. It’s built on shared values and a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Hiring the right people who align with these values is crucial. Unfortunately, even one toxic employee can negatively influence the entire team’s morale and productivity.
· Office design
The physical design of a workspace plays a crucial role in employee well-being and productivity. A well-designed office can have a positive impact on employee morale and reduce stress levels.
· Innovation
Collaborative spaces and technologies facilitate communication and the easy sharing of information among team members. That breaks down silos, encourages open-mindedness, and ensures everyone is on the same page. When team members can easily brainstorm, share ideas, and provide feedback in a collaborative environment, it sparks creativity and leads to more innovative solutions.
· Clear goals
Your business thrives when everyone understands the company’s goals. These goals guide everything, from hiring the right people with the necessary skills to shaping the company culture and values. Without clear direction, your business operations can quickly become chaotic and unproductive.
Wait! One Last Thing
While some may initially perceive employee-centric policies as detrimental to business interests, the reality is quite the opposite. Implementing positive work practices can benefit employees and the company. These practices can boost team morale, increase productivity, and foster a more positive and engaging work environment, leading to business growth.
