Is there no such thing as a bad manager?

“There is no such thing as bad employees, just bad managers.”

This quote is probably the most controversial statement that I find myself making over and over.

I say it not because it’s true.

Though it mostly is.

I say it because as leaders, this is the mindset you must have. (And too many don’t.)

• If a deadline isn’t completed on time. Ask — how could I have better communicated the urgency?

• If a campaign fails. Ask — what tools could I have made available?

• If an expectation isn’t met. Ask — what role do I play in this miscommunication.

You must FIRST point the finger at yourself, before you can assume the problem is even partly the employee’s fault.

So before you decide what attitude, training, accountability an employee needs, you must first ask this of yourself.