Is your boss constantly checking on you and not giving you the space you deserve? Then it might be a telltale sign that your boss is a micromanager. And, sometimes even they can’t help but check and examine their employees all the time.
Micromanaging bosses are sometimes stereotyped as condescending, short-tempered, and innately unpleasant people. Theoretically, most micromanaging bosses have the greatest of intentions for their employees. But, they have acquired bad habits that lead to micromanaging practices. They often mistake that what they are doing is the right way to lead their team or employees.
Decisions made by such bosses also affect an employee’s leadership skills. This is because employees have no choice but to always rely on their boss to make decisions. As a result, micromanaging bosses are harmful to a company’s profitability. They also impact the mental health of everyone involved.
Do you believe you have a micromanager on your hands?
Continue reading to learn how to recognize the signs and how to respond to this behavior.
Table of Contents
Is what you’re experiencing micromanagement?
Do you constantly feel like you don’t have any breathing room? Micromanaging bosses have a history of over-communicating every single aspect of a project. And even providing the information accurately, they can’t seem to step back. They will often check on you to give suggestions and demand a draft so they can provide markups for you.
Consider your regular weekday. Question yourself whether your boss is micromanaging everything you do. Think if others are being treated similarly.
Ask yourself if this is a projection of their feelings against you. Or try to find if that’s their genuine preferred work style.
Have you recently missed a project’s assigned deadline, for example? If this is the case, your manager is likely attempting to make sure that the work is completed. That means they are not micromanaging. In such a scenario, you should meet with your boss physically. Discuss various processes for going forward and ensure that you meet the deadlines. This way, you can earn your boss’ trust back and get them to stop constantly checking on you.
What you see as micromanaging, on the other hand, could simply be a mandate from higher-ups in the company. Or, it can be your boss’ tried-and-true style of doing things. If that’s the case, you might be dealing with a workplace culture problem rather than a boss on a power trip.
Do none of these remove conditions apply or relate to you? Unfortunately, you may be working with a legit micromanager.
What is so bad about constant checking by your boss anyway? Is it unhealthy?
This type of management results in the complete opposite effect on the workplace. They foster a productive, autonomous, collaborative and healthy workplace. Working for a micromanaging boss can be highly emotionally taxing. It can eventually reduce your morale and the quality of your work. Even your coworkers may be disgruntled by such a workplace environment.
Moreover, it negatively impacts overall employee performance. Not only that, it also hampers happiness, motivation, and engagement. Sometimes, it even causes a lack of creativity.
When left unchecked, micromanagement can lead to higher turnover rates. It can result in low office morale and negative workplace culture. It wouldn’t sound like a fun place to work every day.
How can you deal with the super constant checking of your boss?
Before disliking your micromanaging boss, give them the benefit of the doubt. Usually, such people don’t even realize that they micromanage. Moreover, if somebody brings them to their notice, they will probably lay off a bit.
Before being promoted, these bosses might have been high performers. That is why they often believe they can still do their previous job, possibly better than you. Hence, they feel so compelled to orchestrate every assignment or task assigned to you. Another likely reason is that they are constantly under pressure. So, they always have to accomplish certain goals from their superiors.
To find the solution to deal with your boss, you will need to understand why your boss is micromanaging you.
Take a look at the list below:
Begin by looking within yourself:
Think, have you recently done anything that gave your boss the reason to manage you this way? It’s important to remember that trust is a two-way street. You and your boss should both be able to trust each other.
To establish and retain trust, you must first find out why trust was established in the first place. Think about how well you have communicated with your boss before. Have you completed tasks within the given timeframe and within the presented budget?
Take the initiative and ask for details about projects from the beginning:
Ask for a checklist to start an assignment. You can also discuss the current project with them. Check your understanding of it. Understand the final goal you or your team is aiming for from the beginning of the project itself.
Show your boss that you realize how busy and under pressure they are and want to help. This may not stop your boss’s nagging. But, it may provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your competence. You can also define dependability. Additionally, it will also help you find some space.
Keep them in the loop. Let them feel included by providing them updates before they begin to demand them from you:
These updates should consist of information about the current status of the project. Have a discussion about the future plans. Further, include outlines of ideas for moving forward. Decide on any issues that have emerged during work. Express how you worked to tackle those issues.
Takeaway
Dealing with a micromanaging boss who is constantly checking on you is not an easy task. You can discover common ground if you put yourself in your boss’ shoes and talk through the situation. This might work in favor of improving your situation.
Suggest to your boss the use of project and people management software. Tell them how it can track the performance of each employee. So, they do not have to constantly keep checking on them.
If, after all your efforts, you still feel like your boss is hovering over you at all times, then quit. Look for a new job opportunity with a less controlling and dictatorial boss.
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