Top 10 Stupid Things Smart Managers Do

It is quite possible for smart managers to do stupid things.  This often happens because smart managers get busy doing the things they have always done without critical evaluation.  This is a standard occupational hazard for anyone that manages a business or leads other people.

In no particular order, we suggest below Ten Stupid Things that we’ve seen Smart Managers do:

1. They diffuse their focus too broadly.  The most successful managers quickly learn what are the most critical items, and then execute against those items.  These same managers will have no more than seven priorities at a time, and they are very specific about what they won’t do.  Most importantly, they do work and tasks that are appropriate to their level, and delegate other tasks away.
2. They work too much.  If you’re completely overwhelmed by the volume of work, then working harder won’t help.  It is possible there are exceptional circumstances for some limited period of time that will require you to work more, but as an ongoing solution, working harder doesn’t work.  You need to assess what things you may be able to give up, and what things to do differently.
3. They Don’t Think.  It is very easy to become completely overcome with tasks.  When that happens, you are probably not taking the time to think about the business, and the strategies and systems that will propel success.
4. They think everyone should operate at their level. Smart managers are usually in the position they are in for good reason:  they are smart and hard working.  They cannot project their own abilities onto others.  It is quite possible that others will not be able to get as much done, or get it done as quickly as the smart manager.  Managers need to accept this.
5. They don’t listen.  Listening is an active skill, and needs to be practiced.  It takes time to listen to your people, and if a manager is always in too much of a hurry to listen to her people, she will end up missing opportunities.
6. They “buy-it-back”. One of the most important skills for managers is delegating.  Many managers delegate tasks, but then end up getting those tasks back on their desks.  Make sure you delegate appropriate tasks to the right people, and don’t let them off the hook.  It is important to be a coach and teach, but not to come rushing in to save people at the last minute every time.
7. They don’t teach/develop/mentor their people.  A manager’s first priority is to develop and build skills in others.  It is important to share knowledge and move others forward.
8. They don’t say “no”. It is not often possible to do everything that everyone wants you to do as a manager.  Those most successful are very clear on what they’ll do, and what they won’t do.
9. They don’t have a mentor or “board of directors”. Good managers have people they can trust to seek out advice and feedback.  In the absence of a good mentor, managers should establish a “board of directors” – a group of people that they go to for advice and feedback on the technical, political and organizational aspects of their jobs.
10. They try to be everybody’s friend.  The best way to upset everybody is to try to keep everyone happy.  It is important to always treat people with respect, but it’s rarely possible to keep all the people happy all the time – so don’t try.

3 Things to remember about Stupid Things that Smart Managers do:

1. It’s possible to be really smart, but still do stupid things.  Your not immune just because you think you’re smart
2. You need to get honest feedback.  Find someone who will tell you the brutal truth when you’re doing something stupid.
3. Pick your favorite one thing of the ten, and do something about it.  Check the list above, and pick one stupid think that you think you may be at risk of committing, and make plans to do something about it.

Watch the ‘3-Minute Crash Course’ about Stupid Things Smart Managers Do (CLICK THE ARROW TO START THE VIDEO):

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