Micromanagement is one of the greatest plagues that could hit a work life! Can we talk about the office control freaks for a moment, please? Always watching you wanting to know what you are doing every second, and literally controlling your every move. How annoying!
In this article, we discuss 8 surefire tips to survive and excel under a “my way” boss, even when you can’t obviously get past all the obstacles.
Get reading.
WHAT IS MICROMANAGEMENT?
Micromanagement is arguably the most controlling management approach. It involves controlling anything too much or paying too much attention to details.
Bosses may micromanage for a ton of reasons. Some don’t know any better, particularly if they haven’t received the required leadership training after being elevated to managerial positions. Some others struggle with psychological problems, such as failure phobia or a lack of trust in their employees. Micromanagement is discouraging and illogical because the need for control to make sure everything goes as planned simply leads to long-term problems and sometimes creates an unhealthy work environment for employees.
8 SUREFIRE TIPS TO SURVIVE MICROMANAGEMENT
-
Check Yourself Out
Literally. Take a moment to evaluate whether there has been a change in your performance and behavior before attempting to understand why your boss is acting the way he is. Have you been performing well and fulfilling your role’s expectations? Start with yourself. If the issue is not from your end, keep reading.
-
Keep Them Updated
One of the biggest anxieties for micromanagers is being unable to answer a question concerning a project their team is working on. They want to know everything, so why not tell them? Give them progress reports. Always let them know what you are doing. Your readiness to communicate can lessen your micromanaging boss’s demand to know everything right away. Even though it might feel like a hassle, actively communicating will give you some measure of control. Just learn your manager’s preferred method of communication, preferred level of contact, and what details to include in your progress reports. You can set reminders to help you stay consistent with the updates. Periodically check with your manager to see if you’re communicating your progress well enough. Listen to their response and then make improvements.
-
Set Goals
You can create a “Goals and Objectives” document to help you measure your progress and serve as a communication tool. When you have a proven track record, your boss will most likely give you some space. Another pro-tip. Include them in projects or ask for their help in solving problems. This would keep them occupied with other tasks, allowing you to work on your own more readily.
-
Be Perfect
Yes, no one is perfect, but with the boss you’ve got, you need to be perfect. While some bosses may tolerate your mistake once or twice, you don’t get that opportunity with micromanagers. Your boss’s urge to micromanage you will be fueled by any mistakes you make. So, check your work twice or three times to ensure its accuracy. Also ensure to meet up with deadlines and give prior notice if you’re running behind.
-
Don’t Badmouth Your Boss
While it may be tempting to vent, resist the urge. Never make public comments about your boss’s micromanaging behavior. If the comments reach your supervisor, your life may become even more terrible. Even if you intend to leave the position, you will still need a reference. Trust me, nothing is more embarrassing than having to explain to a new employer that your previous boss will not recommend you.
-
Talk To Them About It
Just because why not? They just might be unaware that their actions are limiting your work life and creating a difficult environment for you. A candid and open dialogue could be beneficial, but proceed with caution. Be smart about it. You don’t want to call them a micromanager to their face. You may just as well tell them you don’t like or respect them, which is one quick way to get yourself micromanaged out the door.
-
Give It Some Time
Bosses who have recently been hired or promoted may behave differently after they understand how the team functions and what the expectations are. It simply takes time to establish trust and a positive rapport. Even if you worked in the department for several years before the new boss took over, wait a few months to observe whether there is a shift in behavior. Familiarity with the role and the team can often help to improve the working relationship.
-
Know When It’s Time To Leave
It is sometimes impossible to improve a poor situation. If you’ve reached the end of your rope, it’s time to move on. Ideally, you should strive to stay in your position for at least a year, but if you can no longer bear going to work, it’s time to move on. When you want to leave, make sure to offer sufficient notice and help your replacement with the transition. It should go without saying that you should be optimistic and resist the urge to criticize your boss.
BOTTOM LINE
The secret to surviving a micromanager is to strike a mutually agreed-upon balance between your manager’s demand for knowledge and involvement and your need for productive flexibility. If it doesn’t work out, please move on. As someone who has been on both ends of this interaction, I can say that the person being micromanaged has it worse. But there’s still a way out. Give these 8 tips a try, and you might be able to micromanage your way out of a jam.
Have you ever worked for a micromanager? Do you have any suggestions or stories to share? We’d like to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.