Poor communication

Good managers maintain contact. Terrible managers turn off the radio. This is especially problematic when supervisors are stationed in different regions, travel frequently, or the team is entirely remote. Some managers go days, weeks, or even months without communicating with their teams before popping in with an obligatory check-in, update, or new assignment. Perhaps the boss saves information until the last minute.

Alternatively, if the leader does not communicate, the conversation is one-sided. The supervisor sends an email or an instant message but never returns calls or emails. This manager pledges to call back later but fails to do so. Although the occasional delayed answer is understandable, this manager has a pattern of disappearing from the team.

How to fix it: Stick to a communication schedule, even if you have nothing new to report. Set deadlines for important conversations, for instance, replying within 24 hours. Use a communication tool to make reaching out easier and more convenient.