Every business needs rules to guide the actions of their employees. In most cases, these are listed in a series of formal policies and procedures, serving as a reference point for the activities of all workers within the company. However, most organizations also have numerous unspoken rules based on behavioral expectations and business norms.

Unspoken rules aren’t inherently a problem, depending on what they cover. For example, expecting team members to submit for paid time off as soon as they know it is needed could be an unwritten rule that doesn’t require formalization. However, certain unwritten rules can actually lead to issues or conflicts and are ultimately bad for business. Here are just a two unwritten rules about managing employees that should be given the ax immediately in almost any company.

When an employee is a proverbial rock star in their position, many businesses assume they would perform equally as well as managers. The problem is the skills that make a standout employee aren’t necessarily the same ones required to be a strong leader. Promoting based solely on their being a top performer without considered their full skill set can lead to failure, which harms the employee and the business.

If someone is truly superb at their job, then it is important to cultivate those skills and determine whether they actually are, or could become, a great leader before offering a promotion. And, if they aren’t the right fit, then there’s no harm in letting them stay where they are, doing what they do best.

Many organizations place certain skills and experiences in high regard when they hire, often favoring candidates who show a strong history in those areas above all others. But just because the person has the right education and hard skills, that doesn’t always make them the best candidate for the position. Things like attitude, outlook, and drive can’t always be identified by a resume and interview alone. And, if the new employee’s personality doesn’t end up being the right fit, all of the skills they possess matter for not.

When hiring new employees, it’s important to consider how they would fit into the workplace as well as whether they possess the right skills. Sometimes, choosing a candidate with a great attitude, a high amount of personal motivation, and a strong foundation in the right areas can be better in the long-term since hard skills can be taught while personalities rarely change.

Whether you are interested in promoting a current employee or are looking for new people to join your company, following certain unspoken rules can have dire consequences. If you are interested in learning about better ways to hire, the team at TempStaff can help you manage the process wisely. Contact us to discuss your current vacancies and see how our professional services can help keep things on the right track.