1. Failing to keep abreast of developments in your own field.

2. Confining yourself to your own specialty.

3. Refusing to seek higher responsibility or to take responsibility for your actions.

4. Failure to make sound and timely decisions.

5. Neglecting to conduct personal inspections properly.

6. Failing to make sure the job is understood, supervised and accomplished.

7. Wasting time on details, or work that belongs to others.

8. Refusing to assess your own performance realistically.

9. Accepting the minimum instead of going for the maximum.

10. Using your management position for personal gain.

11. Failure to tell the truth, to always keep your word.

12. Not setting the personal example for your people to follow.

13. Trying to be liked rather than respected.

14. Failing to give cooperation to your employees.

15. Failing to ask your subordinates for their advice and help.

16. Failing to develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates. 

17. Emphasizing rules rather than skills.

18. Failing to keep your criticism constructive. 

19. Not paying attention to employee gripes and complaints.

20. Failure to keep your people informed

21. Failing to treat your subordinates as equals. 

22. Refusing to train an assistant to take your place. 

By James K. Van Fleet