It's a fact: Everyone makes mistakes, and between mistakes lies the opportunities for success. However, this never means that mistakes are good. Indeed, they are sometimes fatal. This presentation highlights 5 Big Mistakes Managers make, and presents practical solutions to avoid them. Disclaimer: The use of this presentation for commercial purposes is prohibited.

2. 5 Big Mistakes
Managers Make
Dr. Nader Al Mallah
Managing Director
ideas Holding Group, Bahrain

3. Who doesn’t do mistakes?
“Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never
making the same one a second time.”
George Bernard Shaw
“Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to not make
the same mistake twice.”
Stephanie Perkins; Lola and the Bo y Next Door
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

4. Greatest Losers… Who are they?
Say: Shall We inform you who will be the greatest losers by their
works?
Those whose effort goeth astray in the life of the world, and yet
they reckon that they do good work.
Holy Quran; Chapter 18 (The Cave), verses 103-104
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

5. Case #1: I work hard but…
Sarah is working hard for the whole day, but she is
being unproductive. She is not sure if what she is doing
is what she suppose to do. She is even confused, what
to do first…
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

6. 5 Big Mistakes Managers Make
Mistake #1: Just: Do It…
Failure to define or communicate Goals &
Objectives…

7. Defining and Communicating goals & Objectives…
When people don’t' have clear goals, they:
» Can't be productive as they have no idea what they
are working for, or what their work means.
» Can't prioritize their workload effectively.
» May complete their project tasks, but in the wrong
order.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

8. Defining and Communicating goals & Objectives…
What should Managers do?
» Learn how to set SMART Goals for the team
» Use Team Charter to specify where the team is going
» Use principles from MBO to align team's goals to the
mission of the organization.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

9. Case #2: The Underperforming Team
Simon, the Sales Manager of ECS, is upset with the
performance of his team. When asked about the
reason for their underperformance, Simon said: “They
don’t appreciate the company’s efforts and initiatives.
We just paid them a salary increment and a bonus 3
months ago, yet, their sales reports are not
progressing!!”
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

10. 5 Big Mistakes Managers Make
Mistake #2: You just got an increment!!
Misunderstanding Motivation

11. Motivation DOSE NOT always Mean MONEY
» Many managers assume that people only work for
monetary rewards
» Money has a temporary motivation effect
» Different people are motivated by different means
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

12. Motivation DOES NOT always Mean MONEY
What should Managers do?
» Understand Individual Differences in Motivation
» Learn and understand the different Motivation Tools
» Keep goals, objectives and expectations clear, and
motivate their teams to achieve them
» Go beyond Common Denominators in motivation
» Never Punish achievers by rewarding non-achievers
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

13. Understanding Motivation: McClelland's Theory
» Based on Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Needs
(1940s), David McClelland in 1960s identified 3
motivators that we all have regardless of our
gender, culture, or age:
 Achievement
 Affiliation
 Power
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

14. Understanding Motivation: McClelland's Theory
» Achievement
 Has a strong need to set and accomplish challenging goals.
 Takes calculated risks to accomplish their goals.
 Likes to receive regular feedback on their progress and
achievements.
 Often likes to work alone.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

15. Understanding Motivation: McClelland's Theory
» Affiliation
 Wants to belong to the group.
 Wants to be liked, and will often go along with whatever
the rest of the group wants to do.
 Favors collaboration over competition.
 Doesn't like high risk or uncertainty.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

16. Understanding Motivation: McClelland's Theory
» Power
 Wants to control and influence others.
 Likes to win arguments.
 Enjoys competition and winning.
 Enjoys status and recognition.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

17. Case #3: I Have No Choice..
The Sales Staff at Roza Company were upset with the
continuous mistakes made to their monthly
commission pay. To avoid this, the HR
Manager, Mary, took this responsibility herself, and
started to do all commission calculations every month.
“No one can do this task without mistakes, so I have no
choice other than doing it myself because I cannot rely
on anyone in this department”, says Mary.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

18. 5 Big Mistakes Managers Make
Mistake #3: Do it, or Do it my way
Misunderstanding Delegation

19. Misunderstanding Delegation
» Unless you delegate tasks to your subordinates, your
team will become inefficient and demoralized.
» Unexplained tasks delegated to others will result in
unsatisfactory results.
» Delegation is NOT Dictation
» Delegation is NEVER throwing tasks on others to
complete, but Distributing formal Authority
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

20. Misunderstanding Delegation
What should Managers do when delegating a task?
» Consider Individual Capabilities, Knowledge and
Skills
» Ensure to Explain delegated tasks and expected
outcomes
» Give Authority to the team members
» Acknowledge Successful Completion and Mistakes as
they occur
» Train staff and NEVER Dictate
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

21. Case #4: Will Ensure Not To Miss It…
Mark is a talented sales representative, but he has a
habit of answering the phone in an unprofessional
manner. His Manager, Jack, is aware of this problem, so
he noted it in his notebook to ensure not to miss it
during the performance review at the end of the year.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

22. 5 Big Mistakes Managers Make
Mistake #4: I Never Close My Door!!
Lack of Communication & Feedback

23. The Most Common Mistake Survey
What one mistake do companies make most in managing their employees?
Lack of Communication between
Staff & Management
Lack of Recognition and Praise
Lack of Training, Development &
Learning Opportunities
Lack of Flexibility in Work Schedules
Lack of Authority given to
employees
Don't know OR No Answer
Source: Accountemps | Participants: Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), April 2012
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

24. Lack of Communication & Feedback
» Employees need to Know so they Do the right thing
» Communication is a Bidirectional process
» Managers Must NOT Wait for staff to complaint or
ask
» Performance Review is a ‘Review’ not a Punishment
» Isolating employees simply means:
Unexpected, Unwanted, Unwelcomed Outcomes
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

25. Lack of Communication & Feedback
What should Managers do?
» Provide clear information in a timely manner
» Listen, Listen, and Listen
» Never delay a feedback
» Take the initiative to talk to the team members and never
wait for them to talk or complain
» Ensure to pass clear messages about what you
expect, organization goals and objectives, project
outcome, etc.
» Reduce to the minimum paper / electronic
communication and use Face-to-Face and Voice
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

26. Case #5: I’m OK with that…
Anne is an Administration Manager at Cobra Shoes
Company. She has been in this job for 8 years, and in
the company for more than 20 years. Anne refuses to
use an electronic system to automate the admin day to
day activities. “I know every one is talking about
technology, but I can’t rely on it. I can’t imagine loosing
all my work just because a hard desk didn’t work or
electricity suddenly went off”, says Anne.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

27. 5 Big Mistakes Managers Make
Mistake #5: We used to do it this way…
Fear of Change

28. Overcoming Fears of Change
The only one who really likes change is a wet baby
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

29. What Fear of Change Can do?
» One of the most common reasons for resistance to
change
» Brings in Stress & Anxiety
» Stops thinking of practical solutions to problems
» Extremely affects productivity & morale
» Leads to Loosing opportunities and market
competition
» Leads Loosing talents
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

30. What frightens people?
» Fear of Unknown; uncertainty
» Fear of Failure; need for perfection
» Fear of Success; what is next?
» Fear of Upsetting Others; perceptions
» Fear of Leaving a Comfort Zone; habits
» Fear of Looking Stupid; self-confidence
» Fear of Loosing job; competency, security, prestige
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

31. Overcoming Fears of Change
Always Remember…
It’s perfectly normal and healthy to be a bit
fearful, confused or unsettled by workplace changes
at first.
It’s quite normal to feel nervous and upset when
things go out of our control, at first.
The unhealthy part occurs with inappropriate or
unhelpful Responses.
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

32. Overcoming Fears of Change
…and Remember:
“People are enemies of what they don’t know”
Imam Ali (AS)
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

33. Overcoming Fears of Change
What should Managers Do When Facing a Change?
» Acknowledge the change
» Acknowledge fears
» Accept feelings and seek support
» Designate “Worry Time”
» Communicate
» Stay positive
» Adjust to change
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

34. Overcoming Fears of Change
» Be flexible to accept new tasks
» Get involved in the change to understand the
rationale
» Reduce your stress by mediation
» Increase your value
» Keep working
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

35. Overcoming Fears of Change
When you are driving the Change…
inform
Explain
Assure
5 Big Mistakes Managers Make

36. Thank You
Dr. Nader Al Mallah
Managing Director
ideas Holding Group, Bahrain