Management Tip - Being the boss is hard, especially when you need to counter the natural tendencies that separate you from the people you manage.

Knowing what these propensities are can help you avoid them. Here are the top three to watch out for:

1. Self-deluding.

This isn't just a problem with bosses; the majority of people estimate their skills to be higher than they are in reality. Be aware that you might be self-aggrandizing and find ways to get input and evaluations that show you what your true skills are.

2. Heedless of subordinates.

Those in positions of power are watched carefully by those under them. But that level of attention is not reciprocated. When you become the head honcho, don't forget to remain curious about and engaged with your direct reports.

3. Insulated from reality.

No one wants to deliver bad news to the boss, so the boss often doesn't know the full story. Create a culture in which the messenger isn't shot, but lauded for bringing important information forward. "

- Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Some Bosses Live in a Fool's Paradise" by Robert I. Sutton.