How to effectively manage people: Seven mistakes of a leader. Tips from Agnieszka Kolanowska.
Effective people management is a true art that requires not only the ability to make strategic decisions, but also the skills of listening and understanding people, working with them, and motivating them. Regardless of experience, mistakes are an integral part of the professional journey that leads to growth.
In this article, we will focus on seven key mistakes that leaders often make in their work, which in turn negatively impact team productivity. We will also share tips from Agnieszka Kolanowska, General Manager of Smart Solutions in Poland.
Let’s start with an important statistic: 57% of employees leave their jobs because of their bosses. According to a study by DDI, this is one of the most common reasons, alongside inadequate compensation and lack of career development.
Agnieszka advises to listen to Einstein in such cases: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If a specialist takes the place of a departed employee, only to leave shortly afterward and no one knows why, the issue of turnover will cyclically resurface. That’s why it’s worth starting with internal changes.
How to effectively manage people?
Managers have an incredible impact on employees’ experiences within a company, which is why it’s important to pay attention to 7 key aspects:
- Communication
According to Agnieszka, managers often don’t give enough importance to communication with their employees, leading to misunderstandings, lack of trust, and low employee engagement.
When communication is ineffective, the team spends time and effort searching for information, clarifying tasks, or fixing mistakes. This results in decreased productivity and delays in completing work. Moreover, the lack of dialogue makes people feel excluded from the process and undervalued, significantly affecting motivation.
It is crucial to not only be able to listen but also to truly hear your subordinates, share important information, and foster an open communication atmosphere.
- Training and Development
The lack of skill and knowledge development inevitably leads to stagnation. It is one of the key demotivating factors for employees.
Our world is constantly changing, as are professional contexts, so leaders must ensure that their employees’ skills remain up to date. The absence of investment in training and development can indicate a lack of support and interest in the success of their employees.
Furthermore, in many professions, it is important to be knowledgeable and stay abreast of trends, which is impossible if one has to perform routine tasks using the same tools day after day. “An effective leader must be open, flexible, and courageous in seeking new solutions,” says Agnieszka.
- Goals
If a leader fails to set clear goals and priorities, the team may spend time and resources on tasks that do not contribute to the achievement of the company’s strategic objectives. This can be demotivating.
- Expectations
Every employee should understand the expectations set by the management, the indicators to expect, and how their performance will be measured. Without this clarity, everyone will interpret “success” in their own way. Regular feedback can also help prevent such misunderstandings.
- Motivation and Rewards
Everyone wants to feel that their contribution is appreciated and recognized. Moral and material rewards are powerful tools for maintaining team motivation. Even a simple “thank you” can have a tremendous impact.
When a supervisor acknowledges the work and achievements of employees, it not only confirms that their efforts have been noticed but also gives them a sense of satisfaction, pride in their progress, and increases their engagement.
As evident, the most common mistakes made by leaders are related to improper interaction with subordinates. Considering that people are a key asset for the success of any company, it is important to learn to collaborate in a professional and supportive manner. Show respect, encourage, train, and support in the process of achieving common goals.
According to Agnieszka, the best way to address this is by proactively preventing issues within the company. Effective leaders always focus on finding solutions rather than making excuses. They should lead by example and inspire their people.
