How to work with a micromanager
Micromanaging can have a huge impact on how we feel about work, our confidence and our workplace. We give you 3 tips to work with that micromanager in your work life.
When we speak to our network about their experiences at work, one common frustration we often hear about is being micromanaged. We explore what micromanaging is, why a boss might be doing it, and its potential impact on you. We also have three tips to help you effectively deal with a micromanager.
What is micromanaging?
Micromanagement is a management style that focuses on excessive control, close scrutiny of employees' tasks, and a lack of trust in their abilities. While it's important for managers to ensure that work is on track, micromanagers take it to an unhealthy extreme, leaving employees feeling stifled, undervalued, and frustrated.
Why Do Bosses Micromanage?
Understanding why your boss is micromanaging can be the first step towards addressing the issue. Here are some common reasons:
Pressure from Above: Sometimes, managers themselves may be subject to micromanagement from their bosses. If your boss constantly checks on your work, it might be because they're under similar scrutiny from others.
Insecurity and Inexperience: A new boss may feel overwhelmed and insecure in their role, leading them to micromanage to prove their worth and competence.
Communication Gaps: With remote or hybrid work arrangements becoming more common, managers may feel disconnected from their teams. This can lead to a perceived need to oversee tasks more closely.
Tips to deal with micromanagement
Figure out why it's happening
Is your boss pressured from above, insecure, or really disorganised, for example? Identifying the cause can help you address it more effectively.
For example, one person in our network reflected that they realised that their boss’ boss was a micromanager. So, this was starting to trickle down to her boss, and their knee-jerk micromanagement and urgent need to know what was going on was because they had to, often at the last minute, give feedback to their boss on things they didn’t think they needed to know.
Have an honest conversation
Engage in an open dialogue with your boss. Instead of using the term 'micromanage,' discuss how the micromanaging manifests and how you can work together to improve the situation. Offer solutions, as well as your reflections. For example, if your boss constantly asks for updates, suggest a regular update schedule so they feel looped in.
One person said to us “I know my boss micromanages when they are stressed and have lots of deadlines and they do it by telling me everything swimming around in their head in a really erratic way. There will be an email, then a really obscure Slack message referring to something by email, then a Whatsapp … it drives me crazy! So I have started to say something along the lines of “it sounds like we could do with catching up on a few things and I can give you some updates. I’m going to set up a call / meeting for us at X time. I’d like to use that time to make sure we’re on the same page which might be easier for you than lots of messages and emails” I’ll make out that I’m providing a solution, but this is me telling him that we need to talk about things efficiently and honestly.”Anticipate their needs
Like in the example above, once you've pinpointed why your boss is micromanaging, proactively address their concerns. Keep them informed about your projects and provide the information they need before they ask for it. Check their diary for certain meetings or points in the week you feel the micromanaging will get worse and why. Then do what is within your control to prevent the excessive oversight that might come.
We hope these tips help your situation, but, micromanaging is usually not about you, so there is only so much that can be within your control. If the issue persists despite your efforts, don't hesitate to seek guidance from HR or a trusted senior colleague. Your well-being and job satisfaction are paramount, and a toxic work environment should never be accepted as the norm.
