If you feel like you’re constantly chasing your team to do their work . . .
👉 reminding them of the basics
👉 making sure they’re not mucking around or wasting time
👉 stepping in to fix things they should’ve handled themselves
. . . you’re not managing — you’re babysitting.
And that’s not what you’re paid to do.
Managers aren’t meant to supervise adults like they’re six-year-olds high on red cordial from the staff fridge.
They’re meant to build capability, drive performance, and develop people to stand on their own two feet.
So if you’re stuck in babysitter mode, ask yourself:
🔶 Have I trained — or just tolerated — underperformance?
🔶 Have I made my expectations crystal clear?
🔶 Have I allowed bad habits to form by dodging tough conversations?
🔶 Have I created a culture of dependence, where everything runs through me?
The best managers don’t chase.
They coach.
They set standards.
They communicate clearly.
And they hold people accountable — early, often, and fairly.
Otherwise, you’re not managing a team.
You’re running a day care.
Now I recognise it’s always a Two-Way Street.
Maybe the issue isn’t your management style.
Maybe some of your team are genuinely acting like children (even though you’re treating them like adults).
If so? Time for a simple honesty chat.
It takes skill to do that well — but do it well, you must.
Whatever the cause, your job is to bring the babysitting to an end.
Because let’s face it . . .
There’s only so many times you can you sing “The Wheels on the Bus.” 🚌
👇
Want help shifting from supervision to real leadership?
I help managers become the kind of leaders people grow under — not just report to.
Interested? Let’s chat 📞
