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Last updated: October 17, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Avoid Overworking: Long hours don’t equal strong
leadership . Effective managers use smarttime management to boostproductivity and prevent burnout for themselves and their teams. - Communicate Transparently: Withholding business information erodes trust. Share relevant updates openly to build a culture of inclusion, accountability, and mutual respect across your
team . - Earn Trust Through Integrity: Criticizing employees publicly or micromanaging hours damages morale. Show accountability and focus on results instead of attendance metrics or blame.
- Respect Employee Focus: Constant interruptions disrupt workflow and signal poor prioritization. Respect your
team ’s time andplan meetings or questions thoughtfully to enhance efficiency. - Lead with Empathy: Recognize your
team ’s personal challenges and achievements. Genuine care, flexibility, and understanding build loyalty and strengthen long-term performance.
It’s common knowledge that leadership is nothing that you can learn from experience. Instead, it’s a happy mixture of creative thinking, setting high personal goals, and dressing for the job you want. But while these can be the key to working your way up to a management position, they don’t make you good at it. In fact, if you’re guilty of any of these 5 management crimes, it’s fair to say that you’re a bad manager.
Bad management habits can destroy trust, motivation, and productivity. Learn the 5 leadership mistakes holding you back—and how to fix them before they hurt your team. Read now and start leading with purpose. #LeadershipClick To Tweet1. Your time means overtime
Working overtime is never a sign of dedication or quality work. You might want to make a good impression or push your
2. You don’t share information
Managers who keep business information to themselves and only share superficial notes with their
This dynamic book is certain to help anyone improve their communications skills at work and at home.
3. Your staff don’t trust you
It doesn’t matter how hard you work at improving your management role. If your
It is often perceived as a sign that you are more likely to blame someone else rather than being accountable for your
Leadership Step by Step walks readers through what to do and how to do it in an integrated and comprehensive progression of exercises designed to cultivate key abilities, behaviors, and beliefs through experience. The 22 exercises in this hands-on book help you accomplish the inner work and gain the social skills required for great leadership.
4. Your work matters more
The famous “Do you have a minute ?” line, used before borrowing an employee’s time for a matter not initially on their agenda, is an office nightmare. Interruptions in the workplace make it hard to work effectively. If you’re a manager who likes to interrupt and ask questions frequently, you are not only disturbing your
“All successful businesses have one thing in common? They have great
leadership . Great leaders not only have the qualities and traits to create value. They are a catalyst to ensuring that all aspects of a business work together. There may be people who are born leaders but many of us are not. If you are looking to take boost your career with a businessleadership role,leadership coaching can help you get there.” – Leadership
21 proven time management techniques you can use immediately to gain two or more productive hours every day.
5. You don’t show empathy
Driving your
Being a leader is easy. All you need is the proper knowledge and connection. Being a good leader is an art that you can master with practice and common sense. It’s about caring for the people you work with. A great leader is above all a great carer.
This book provides practical leadership lessons that are backed by research and real-world examples. The book is divided into 21 chapters, each of which explores a different "law" of leadership.
Improve Your Skills as a Manager
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Next Steps
- Evaluate Your
Leadership Style: Reflect on your current management approach to identify strengths and weaknesses that influenceteam performance and workplace morale. - Develop Clear Communication: Schedule regular check-ins to share updates, gather feedback, and ensure your
team feels informed and supported in achieving goals. - Invest in
Training : Enroll inleadership development programs or online courses to improve emotional intelligence,time management , and decision-makingskills . - Encourage Feedback: Create a safe environment for open dialogue so your
team can shareideas and concerns that promotecollaboration and growth. - Model Work-Life Balance: Set realistic expectations and boundaries that help maintain
productivity while preventing burnout across yourteam .
Too many competing priorities and not enough time? Tired of trying to do it all? Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? This book is for you!
Work-Life in Balance: 15 Strategies To Create a Work-Life Balance You Deserve is your guide to feeling calmer and taking back control of your life.
Final Words
Effective
Additional Resources
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$17.77Learn MoreThis book will help you discover inner strength, and set you on a path to coaching success. Read on, be bold, and success will follow!
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12/28/2025 12:00 pm GMT -
$29.99$16.99Learn MoreThis book provides practical leadership lessons that are backed by research and real-world examples. The book is divided into 21 chapters, each of which explores a different "law" of leadership.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/28/2025 01:04 pm GMT -
$7.99Learn MoreLeadership Step by Step walks readers through what to do and how to do it in an integrated and comprehensive progression of exercises designed to cultivate key abilities, behaviors, and beliefs through experience. The 22 exercises in this hands-on book help you accomplish the inner work and gain the social skills required for great leadership.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/28/2025 03:02 am GMT -
$10.04Learn MoreA concise, accessible leadership book that helps readers become more effective leaders from the inside out.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/28/2025 11:00 am GMT -
$22.00$9.04Learn MoreIn his work with organizations around the world, Simon Sinek noticed that some teams trust each other so deeply that they would literally put their lives on the line for each other. Other teams, no matter what incentives are offered, are doomed to infighting, fragmentation and failure.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/28/2025 06:06 am GMT -
$10.99Learn MoreIf you own a start-up or small/medium business, this book is the only ‘play-book’ you will need. A first-time manager has very unique requirements. This book can be your guide to success. Learn what it takes for you to climb the corporate ladder. If you are a mid-level executive, this book can be your mentor and advisor.
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12/28/2025 12:02 pm GMT
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.