Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

One of the main reasons a number of managers keep a tighter control than is good for the department or business is related more to ego than efficiency. Any type of study shows that the tighter and more dictatorial the control the worse it is for the business.

While it probably does no good to talk to those that completely disagree with this, it is more for those of you who may have a number of problems with those you manage, and you're probably the cause of them, but want to improve.

Here's a few things that give hints that you may be doing it all wrong:

1. Do you ever ask your employees for input or suggestions?

2. Is productivity decreasing?

3. Are your employees defecting at the first chance they get?

4. Are your workers doing their very best?

5. When a mistake or error is discovered are they diligent to get on it fast?

6. Is customer service their main focus and purpose?

If you can't give the right answer to these questions, more than likely there are some serious things you need to look at with yourself. Obviously there may be an area that for a number of reasons falters for a bit, but I'm talking about continuous patterns that persist.

If your employees aren't empowered and thus - engaged, they will undermine you every chance they get, even if it isn't consciously. And many times it isn't. Give yourself a quick assessment if these things are persistently nagging your business. The problem is probably you.

Hiring and training right, along with making sure they understand the purpose of the company, should give you the confidence to let them go at it and get it done. Release them and you'll see an extraordinary improvement in all areas that they are responsible for.