Like it or not, some predictable mistakes are inevitable as a manager. Even knowing what they are in advance, you will still make them anyway. The faster you learn to avoid becoming a chronic repeat offender the better.

1. You will fail to delegate matters better left to your subordinates. Consequently you will overwork and they will grouse.

2. You will unnecessarily micromanage some things others could have done quite well without you. They will be irritated.

3. You will fail to arrange your priorities correctly, leaving something really important left undone. You will hear about it.

4. You will fail to keep your boss sufficiently informed about something that matters. They will not be pleased.

5. You will fail to make a decision you should have made and there will be negative consequences. You will get the blame.

6. You will make at least one, if not more, failed attempts to please everyone. Some will remain unhappy.

7. You will attempt to answer some questions, or violate a confidence, when silence or “I don’t know” would have been the better choice. You’ll wish you had shut it.

8. You will get beyond your managerial competence at least a few times. Something bad usually happens.

9. You will act on a false assumption with negative consequences. Embarrassment will follow.

10. You will pull your punches – that is, be less than candid – with more than one subordinate and superior. You will not like yourself afterwards

There is simply no way to get better at being a manager than through experience and it is often our mistakes that teach us the most powerful lessons.

UPDATED April 2026

Categories: Managing & Leading, Self-Management

Tags: effective management and leadership, effective managers and leaders, Managing & Leading, Self-Management