What You Can Do To Survive A Micromanager

J D — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:58:15 +0000

Have you ever dealt with a micromanager? The manager who is unable to delegate, looks over your shoulder, and makes every final decision? The micromanager who swears they are acting in the best interest of the company, yet, it is quite clear their insecurities are devaluing each employee? Here are four ways to cope with their habit.

1. Communicate Often and Ahead Of Time

Micromanagers need to be in control and they feel they accomplish this by knowing everything that is going on. So, instead of waiting for your manager to request an update, give them an update. Instead of waiting for your manager’s opinion, ask for their opinion. Finally, instead of waiting for their advice, ask for their advice. This will please their micromanaging tendencies and allow you to finally accomplish more work more efficiently.

2. Choose Your Battles and Win Them

Micromanagers will war on every issue and fighting with them will be stressful. The best way to overcome this is by not fighting until you know there is a 100% chance of you winning. However, be aware that being 100% sure will require great preparation and presentation.

3. Work With Them and Not Against Them

Since micromanaging stems from a lack of trust and insecurity, a good way to deal with this is by showing your manager that you are on the same team. Constantly remind them that your main objective is to do stellar work and then deliver it. Consistent performance will accelerate trust and will eventually make the micromanager feel they can loosen their grip.

4. Become A Perfectionist, As Per Your Manager’s Request

Micromanagers fear their employees will make mistakes. However, a mistake is not necessarily a mistake. For a micromanager, a mistake is accomplishing a goal using a method that is foreign to the micromanager.

The easiest way to combat this is to cater to your micromanager’s ideals and process. If you learn to complete tasks in the same manner as your micromanager, you won’t have to deal with the headache anymore.

The Bottom Line

Remember this: Micromanagers micromanage because they lack trust in you. This could be your fault or their fault. The absolute worst thing you could do is become hostile as being a team player works out better in the end.

What do you think?

What have you personally done to deal with a micromanager? Have you used any of the above tactics? If so, share your results.