Before you start blaming your team for the lack of performance stop and ask yourself, are you letting them perform in the first place? Do you genuinely understand their needs? When was the last time you have asked your team for feedback? How many of your direct reports enjoy working with you? Hmm…

It’s time to reevaluate your approach to leadership and management. Are you guilty of any of the mistakes listed below? Be honest with yourself. Conscious acceptance of own weaknesses is the first step toward improvement.

1. Asking people to work for you rather than with you

Better approach. The best leaders and managers work together with their teams. They provide support and coaching regularly. Satisfaction from belonging and appreciation can skyrocket everyone’s performance.

2. Delegating responsibilities and then micromanaging

Better approach. Let people get on with the tasks you have given them. Give them space to build self-confidence and encourage taking decisions.

3. Muddling with expectations

Better approach. Be clear on what you expect from individuals and the team. Make sure your message is understood and acknowledged. Identify potential roadblocks at the early stage to avoid frustration and blame.

4. Avoiding positive feedback

Better approach. “Never criticise, condemn or complain”. Repeat this every day. The results will overwhelm you.

5. Ignoring employees’ personal needs and focusing on KPIs instead

Better approach. The organisation can only be as good as people who create it. Long term strategy must consider must include the human factor. Make sure you keep the balance between the numbers and the morale of your team.

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6. Sticking to a strict holiday & absence policy

Better approach. Stop forcing employees to take a holiday every time their child gets sick or the car breaks down. There are a million ways to make up for that time. Consider working from home or staying extra hours at hours in the office when needed.

7. Cutting cost on training

Better approach. Some organisations will never understand that development of employees through training is paramount to the overall success of the business. Training is an investment.