A Tiny Bit of Advice on How to Manage a Boss Who is a Micromanager
Roberta Matuson
Strategic Advisor on Talent | Global Executive Coach | Public Speaker I Brand Ambassador | HBR Contributor I Helping organizations attract & retain the best people.
Honored to be selected to participate in LinkedIn's #youasked series. This is a series where LinkedIn selects experts to respond to real-life workplace issues.
More on this topic and other timeless tips on managing your boss can be found in my book, Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around. Right now, you can download the Kindle version on Amazon for only $1.99. No telling how long this pricing will last!
Now, onto the question:
“What do you do if you like your job but your boss is a micromanager who doesn’t have a clue how to manage projects, and his boss put him in that position due to nepotism?” — Carlos F., project coordinator
Here's my response:
Micromanagement is about lack of trust. The person who is micromanaging doesn’t believe anyone can do something as well as he or she can. Once you understand this, you’ll be better able to manage a micromanaging boss.
First, make sure you keep your commitments. If you tell your boss you’ll complete a task by a certain date and time, make sure you do so. If you can’t, alert your boss to this before the deadline approaches.
Next, have a conversation with your boss and remind him of your experience bringing projects to completion and ask what concerns, if any, he has regarding your ability to do your job. Let him know you’re feeling a bit over managed. Be prepared to present him with concrete examples of why you feel this way.
See if you can come to agreement about how to best move forward. When dealing with micromanagers, it’s best to give choices so they feel in control. For example, you might say “Bob, how about if we meet weekly and I can give you an update on the project. How’s Monday mornings or Friday afternoons?
Lastly, I’ve found that people act based on emotion and do what’s in their best interest. Perhaps your boss has mentioned on occasion that he’s disappointed he can’t leave work on time to get to his daughter’s soccer game or he’s unable to do more strategical work because he’s so busy taking care of the day-to-day. A gentle reminder that by providing you with a longer leash he’ll be able to do those things he really wants to do, may get him to shift his behavior a bit.
If you try this and nothing changes, then you’ll either need to leave the company or marry a relative of the owner, so you can be promoted above your boss!
What advice would you add to mine?
Lean & Agile Coach. Helping organizations into a Lean future ...
4 年We need to be more clear about what micromanagement really is, so those doing it can recognize it and have the opportunity to change:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/redefining-micromanagement-fernando-guigou/
Strategic, Effective Criminal Defense Advocacy
5 年You know exactly what you’re getting with a micromanager so can easily plan around it. The micromanager typically wants to know that the items on your to do list that are on their radar are being handled. My best advice is to proactively report on the completion of each step along the way before the micromanager asks you where you are in the project. By managing the micromanagers expectations, you give a micromanager peace of mind and the ability to leave you alone (IF they have that capacity). Sending you best wishes for handling this situation like a pro! #BespokeRecruitingLLC #LegalCareers ?
Production Coordinator at LambdaGain?
5 年How to manage your manager...??
VP of Sales at Monterey Lighting Solutions
5 年What this doesn’t address is underperforming sales people. If you don’t like being managed and you can’t hit your goals, then move on and find a company that will pay you a good wage to do it all on your own.... good luck with that.