Every manager thinks they are the best boss ever; this simply is not true.  We have all had a bad boss or two in our career.  So, what makes a boss bad?  Well, there are a lot of things that can make a boss fall short.  Here are 3 qualities that bad managers share:

Poor Communication

If excellent communication is the foundation of a great manager, it can be deduced that lack of it is the foundation of an incompetent one.  Give your team clear objectives and answer all of their questions before setting them free.  Listening to their concerns and addressing their needs will ensure the successful completion of a project.

Micro Management

Don’t you just love the feel of hot breath on your neck as someone is reading the email you are writing. No! You do not – no one does!  So figuratively speaking, do not do it.  Watching over and criticizing a team member’s every move is just as bad, if not worse.  Assuming your team has the tools and training necessary, trust them and step aside. Check in now and then but let them work on their own.  Do this and you will see happy employees.

Favoritism

It is of the utmost importance to treat every team member equally.  Playing favorites leads to disgruntled team members and poor production, not to mention the dreaded HR issues.  Treat everyone on your team the same, no exceptions.

Be a leader and you will avoid the trap of being an incompetent manager.  Lay out clear objectives, provide your team the tools and training needed, give them some autonomy and, for Heaven sake, do not play favorites. These qualities are the difference between being a manager and a leader.