When thinking about what makes a manager successful, it is also important to think about what makes a manager not successful. What mistakes do they make and how can they learn from those mistakes?

Several studies of U$.$S$.$ and British managers compared two types of managers: $$arrivers$,$ or managers who made it all the way to the top of their organization, and $$derailers$,$ or managers who were successful early in their careers but fell off the fast track during middle and upper levels of management.

The top mistake made by derailers was being insensitive to others by being too abrasive and intimidating. They were said to have a bullying management style. The second mistake made was being cold, aloof, or arrogant. This mistake was not due to being insensitive but rather being experts in their areas of knowledge and treating others poorly because they were not also experts. The third mistake that derailers made was betraying a trust. Betraying a trust means making others look bad by not doing what you said you would do when you said you would do it$.$ The fourth mistake that derailers made was being overly political and ambitious. They treated people poorly and focused too much on the next job they wanted.

This image lists the top ten mistakes that managers make. From $1$ to $10,$ the list reads as follows: Insensitive to others; abrasive, intimidating, bullying style. Cold, aloof arrogant. Betrays trust. Overly ambitious; thinking of next job; playing politics. Specific performance problems with the business. Over$-$managing; unable to delegate or build a team; Unable to staff effectively; Unable to think strategically; Unable to adapt to boss with different styles; Overdependent on advocate or mentor.

A common management mistake is:

being unable to delegate.

practicing selective hiring.

sharing financial information with employees.

allowing others to express their viewpoints.