Managing a team can be a tricky balancing act.
While you’re expected to be the leader, there are some mistakes that can not only cost you the respect of your team but also your own self-respect.
Don’t worry though! It’s all about learning from those missteps. Here’s how you can avoid losing self-respect as a manager— and how to get it back if you’ve slipped up.
1. Taking the credit for other people’s work
If you’re constantly claiming credit for your team’s hard work, you’re bound to lose their trust. Not only will your team feel underappreciated, but you’ll also start feeling like a fraud when the truth comes out. To earn back, start by giving credit where it’s due. Recognise and celebrate your team’s efforts openly. When you lift your team up, they’ll return the favour by working even harder.
2. Managing the wrong team
Sometimes a mismatch of skill sets or personalities can create tension and confusion. If you keep pushing your team in directions they aren’t equipped to go, you’re going to lose respect. To fix this, take time to understand your team’s strengths, weaknesses, and unique talents. Align tasks with the people best suited to them. And, if you realise there’s a mismatch, be brave enough to make changes.
3. Micromanaging every step
Nobody likes to be hovered over. Micromanaging your team can turn them from eager problem-solvers into passive followers. It sends the message that you don’t trust them and that you’re more concerned with control than their professional growth. Let them handle their responsibilities without constantly checking in. Provide guidance when needed, but step back and allow them to take ownership
4. Overpromising and under-delivering
The excitement of a new project can get the best of any manager, making them promise big things. But when those big promises fall short, it doesn’t just leave your team frustrated— it can also damage your reputation. To get back on track, set realistic, achievable goals, and stick to them. Transparency is key— if something is delayed or going wrong, own up to it
5. Not listening to feedback
Ignoring suggestions or brushing off concerns from your team is a surefire way to lose respect. When you stop listening, it feels like you’re not interested in improving or hearing your team’s ideas. This leads to disengagement, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself out of touch. Toe earn back their trust, make a habit of asking for feedback regularly. Act on it when it’s constructive and let your team know you value their opinions. When your team sees that you are genuinely listening and improving based on their input, they’ll be more invested in following your lead
6. How can managers earn their team’s respect
As a manager, respect isn’t just something you expect— it’s something you build and maintain through your actions. So, whether you’ve made mistakes in the past or just want to avoid common pitfalls, remember: Trust your team, be transparent, and always recognise their contributions. Show them you care, and you’ll learn respect not just from them— but from yourself too.
