I’ve committed each of these top ten sins that most managers make at one time or another in my 40-plus-year career as a general manager for a major retailer, an award-winning entrepreneur, and a college professor. The good news is you can learn from my mistakes. If I knew then what I know now, I would have managed and led others differently. After reading this article, I hope you will manage and lead others differently as well.

Here’s a new playbook for emerging leaders.

1. Don’t rely on common sense in your training programs. If you haven’t taught someone how to do the task the way you want it done, don’t assume they know how. Common sense is not common practice.
2. You can’t motivate people to do things that they don’t want to do. But you can create a working environment that motivates them. People do things for their own reasons. Find out what that is and help them get it; chances are, you will get yours.
3. Just because someone is good at what they do doesn’t mean they will be good at something else. Not everyone is equipped to manage and lead others. Promote someone who enjoys spending time with people and helping them succeed.
4. Admitting you don’t have all the answers is ok. You’re not supposed to know everything. But you are expected to know where to go to find the answers. Don’t make shit up.
5. Communication is everything. If you can’t communicate in a way that everyone will understand, then whatever you say will mean nothing. Ask open-ended questions to clarify and ensure the message was received.
6. We both know there are several ways to accomplish the same thing. It doesn’t have to be just your way. Solicit everyone’s input and build a collaborative team. The more you involve others in the process, the more likely they will want to participate.
7. Your job as a manager or leader is to teach others what you know. You can’t do that unless you are sharing some of your responsibilities with others on your team. If you don’t delegate, you rob them of their opportunity to grow.
8. You’ve got to give it to get it. Gaining others’ respect is a 3-step process. First, you must establish rapport, then develop a relationship, which eventually leads to mutual respect. People won’t trust anyone they don’t respect first.
9. You must lead by example. Whatever you say you are going to do; do it. It’s not what you say that matters most; it’s how you go about doing it. Your word must be your bond.
10. Your attitude and how you choose to react when things go wrong are 100 percent in your control. Remain calm, reflect, refocus on the task at hand and move forward. People want to follow winners, not whiners.

Copyright 2026. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you searching for a keynote speaker for your next event, or planning an in-person training session at your location? Brian specializes in soft skills training and leadership development. He works with people who want to communicate and interact more effectively, build collaborative teams, resolve conflicts or motivate others to perform at their best. He will customize a presentation that is right for you, your team and your organization. Contact Brian and discover what he can do for you.