How to manage a micromanager boss
Updated 2024-07-07. Originally published 2013-02-18 on VocationVillage.com
Most experienced professionals have at least one horror story about working for a micromanager boss, the type of manager who wants to be involved in every tiny detail of your work. To help employees navigate this unpleasant situation, I compiled this list of strategies about how to manage a micromanager boss:
Empathize.
Coach, trainer, and speaker Lorna Weston-Smyth noted that leadership expert John C. Maxwell identifies three major reasons micromanager bosses don’t empower direct reports: (1) Weak leaders worry they won't be as valuable if direct reports are too competent on their own, (2) Some bosses fear change and loss of control as direct reports take ownership over greater amounts of work, and (3) Some managers feel powerless themselves, and they aren't skilled at empowering others.
Also, a micromanaging style might stem from something so simple as fear of being blamed if something goes wrong, so bosses think they are doing a good job if they oversee every little detail. When calculating how effective micromanagement is, they forget to factor in the costs of time and employee demoralization.
It might not solve the problem to empathize with the fearful micromanager, but it might help you take the micromanagement situation less personally.
Be an anthropologist.
Dr. Donna Hartney, a performance consultant, suggested that you use your observational skills to determine if your boss micromanages all the time, with everyone, or only in specific situations.
If you have co-workers who are not being micromanaged, try to determine what they are doing differently than what you are doing. Based on your observations, create a plan to become a person your boss trusts.
Build the relationship.
Weston-Smyth advised investigation to understand what makes your boss tick. Pay attention to small clues found in informal conversations. Notice what improves your boss' mood, what upsets/infuriates your boss, and what your boss' priorities and values seem to be. Find shared interests and common ground. The better your relationship with your boss, the more likely your boss will back off from scrutinizing your every professional move.
Surrender.
Career coach Kathi Elster, author of Working for You Isn't Working for Me: How to Get Ahead When Your Boss Holds You Back suggested helping your boss feel a greater sense of control and less fear by showing them you are listening to them, and then doing things exactly the way they want things done, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to do so. Using this strategy involves a gamble that if you help your boss become less anxious, things will improve.
Jen Hancock, a writer and speaker specializes in humanistic leadership, agreed. She said, "Touch base with your manager on where things stand daily or twice daily if necessary. Should you have to do this? No. But you will do them and your fellow co-workers a favor by reducing your boss' stress."
Micromanage the micromanager.
Gordon Veniard, a management consultant and author of Exactly What Kind of Boss Are You? suggested asking your boss these five questions:
1. What, specifically, do you want me to do?
2. When, exactly, do you need this by?
3. How, specifically, do you want this delivered to you?
4. How do you want me to keep you up-to-date on progress?
5. What else do I need to know to do this right?
Avoid surprises.
Probably the worst thing you can do to a micromanager boss is surprise them. If you realize you are going to miss a deadline or you need to deliver any other bad news about something happening at work, do everything you can to be the person to share the information with your boss before they learn about it from other channels.
Realize that surprises may feel like a catastrophe to your boss who craves certainty and predictability, so your boss' micromanaging tendencies might become worse after any surprise.
Use technology.
Mark Rushworth, Head of Search at Blue Logic, recommended productivity tools to facilitate communication and reassure anxious bosses that you really are getting a lot done.
Rushworth's tips are even more helpful for virtual teams where you can't just stop by someone's desk to see how much work is getting accomplished.
Decide how honest to be.
Executive coach Marian Thier agreed with all the standard career advice on micromanager bosses; she assists clients to implement the advice to improve their on-the-job situations. But once all those strategies fail, she sympathizes with an employee who said to her micromanager boss, "You're watching much too closely. I'm a professional and will accomplish the task on time and done correctly. Surely you must have something better to do with your time than watch over my shoulder."
Sometimes it is worth the risk to tell the truth; sometimes not. Notice what happened when other employees told the truth. Did things improve or worsen? Observational data can help you choose what to do.
Change jobs.
Rick Maurer, author of Why Don't You Want What I Want?: How to Win Support for Your Ideas without Hard Sell, Manipulation, or Power Plays said if none of the usual career advice works, you can either learn to live with the micromanager boss or change jobs to find a boss who is more reasonable.
Carlyn Craig, a publishing professional, agreed. She recalled that when she worked for a micromanager boss, no matter how many strategies she employed, like frequent reporting, lots of communication, etc., her boss never learned to trust her, despite her strong track record of success in previous jobs. She recalled, "This boss had a habit of busting into my office, and without any greeting, would start in on a game of 'twenty questions,' which felt like a test designed to catch me out. It was disruptive and upsetting."
Craig left the job to start her own company, Post Hypnotic Press. Craig said that the employees in her old workplace tell her the micromanager boss is still stressing people out so much, they feel their blood pressure rising when they just hear him coming down the hall.
Laurie Battaglia, CEO of Aligned at Work, concurred with the advice that you might have to seek new employment to escape the craziness. She said, "If you are feeling under fire all the time, start looking for your next role while you continue to do great work in this one."
Keep the faith.
Many people have survived and thrived after suffering through an experience with a micromanager boss. Do your best to improve your current job situation, but if you end up needing to move on, stay optimistic that you can find a better boss, or start a company and add to the supply of great bosses. One of my favorite quotes is, "Living well is the best revenge."
Do you have additional tips for surviving a micromanager boss? Send them to me, and I may include them in a future article.
