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This week, we’re talking about how to handle a micro-manager – especially if you’re just starting your career journey. To help us answer these questions is coach, Fiona Hatton.
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Hi SheCanCode,
Help, I have a micromanager!
I’m fairly new in my career and have been in my current role for 18 months. I enjoy my work but have a serious issue with my manager.
They have zero trust in the team and every detail needs to be signed off by them. I feel like I spend half of my time appeasing them, when I could be dealing with work. And let’s not get into the constant meetings and having to account for every minute of the working day.
I’m beginning to reach the end of my patience. How can I deal with my manager without burning bridges?
Cheers,
Fed-Up Employee
HELLO FED-UP EMPLOYEE,
A manager can be the difference between an amazing job and one that fills you with dread each morning. When managers feel the need to control every aspect of their direct report’s work it can be really damaging: to the person who’s being micromanaged, the wider team, and the work that’s being produced. And it’s not fabulous for the manager either. On just a practical level, it stops them from getting on with their work and slows down their team too.
There are lots of reasons someone might micromanage, and spotting the causes is a great place to start.
UNDERSTAND YOUR MANAGER
Getting to know your manager could help you understand what’s driving them to micromanage, and how you could talk to them about it. Consider:
- What are their priorities? This can help you work out what they’re likely to be most controlling about.
- How are they measured? If they’re measured on your performance for example, that could be driving their behaviour. If it’s all about accuracy, this could mean that they feel the need to scrutinise every detail.
- What would make their (and your) life easier? Where could a small adjustment from you or the wider team make a big difference? For example, if they are likely to review work multiple times, how can you factor that into your planning to give you both time?
BUILD TRUST
Micromanaging can stem from a lack of trust – this doesn’t mean that you’ve done something to break down trust by the way. It just means that you might have to demonstrate that you can be trusted, and that could take time. Think about whether this could be the cause of your manager’s behaviour and how you could reassure them:
- How could you give your manager greater visibility, on your terms? Think about how you currently update your manager – it sounds like this isn’t working for either of you. Consider how you could shape these updates so they’re more useful – taking into account what you know about your manager and how they like to work.
- What would happen if you were honest? Being open about your changing priorities, and whether deadlines are going to be missed could be helpful. Providing as much notice as possible, means your manager has space to adapt and manage expectations across the business too.
SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER
This could be a difficult and uncomfortable conversation. Before you start, ask yourself:
- What do you want to get out of this conversation? Think about what’s possible, and what changes could make the most difference. What steps will get you there?
- How can you make your manager feel comfortable – not attacked? It can be difficult to hear that you’re making someone unhappy at work, how can you make this a more positive conversation?
- What will you do if nothing changes? Think about your options – if the first conversation doesn’t change things it doesn’t mean there’s nothing else you can do.
