How To Work With A Micromanager
Let’s put it bluntly - micromanagers are hard to work for.
Micromanagement is a sign of poor communication skills and leadership skills. It is not something we sign up for and as a competent workplace professional, it can be incredibly draining on our energy. Do we need help at times? Sure! But do we sign up for being undermined and monitored 24/7? Absolutely not.
While you won’t be able to change a micromanager's management style or their communication style… It can save some of your sanity to recognize signs of micromanagement, figure out a way to work around it, and ultimately communicate productively despite it.
When it comes to micromanagement, it can be both blatant and sneaky. Here’s what to watch out for -
Blatant micromanaging can include; checking in on a daily basis (via phone call, text, email, etc), needing to get approval on every work related task, monitoring your calendar
Sneaky micromanagement can look like; giving you “ideas” of how to do your work but not giving you autonomy to execute your own ideas, asking to be included on every meeting, editing all the work you are producing.
If you suspect you work for a micromanager, or you are fed up with working for a micromanager, here’s what I would tell you →
First, ask yourself if it is worth it to try and improve the working relationship. Is it worth it to try and have a conversation with your manager about how you best like to be managed? It will take a lot of energy to manage your manager but if you think it will be helpful for you, below is a template to help you have the conversation.
“Hey manager, I’ve noticed that you’ve been [checking in with me / trying to help me on a daily basis]. My goal for this conversation is to be transparent with you in that with each check in, it sidetracks from the task at hand. It also feels like you don’t trust me to do the work I need to be doing. Can we work together to communicate expectations needed of me to make sure I can be as efficient as possible throughout my workdays?”
If you do not believe it is worth it to try and improve your working relationship with the micromanager, you might need to put your head down and control what you can control. This can look like,
Getting ahead of the ask and start including your manager on emails/meetings without having them ask for it
Send daily updates on what you’re working on
Focus on the content of what is being communicated versus the tone
Lastly, if this is affecting your mental health or your contributions to the job, it might be time to consider removing yourself from the situation because and start looking elsewhere for different job opportunities altogether.
If you decide to remove yourself from the situation altogether, more power to you for making the decision to find a job where disrespect and toxicity is not the norm. We spend too much of our time at work to be uncomfortable and unsafe. Do what is best for you!
Admittedly, each option requires energy and a lot of work (on top of the work already expected of you) and working with a micromanager does not create a safe and productive work environment.
If you have specific situations or scenarios you need help navigating when it comes to working with a micromanager, email me!
