Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Micromanagement.



Free PDF Download
The three types of happiness - are you really happy? - By Derek Stockley

Name: Email:


Are you constantly checking the work of your team members? Are you a perfectionist?

Definition.
I define micromanagement as:

Often unintentionally, a micromanager delves into too much detail. Rather than allowing people the responsibility and freedom to do their job, the micromanager monitors and reviews every task. This obsession with detail causes resentment, affecting staff performance in a negative way.

At one stage in my career I had two managers. I worked in a matrix structure - one was my line manager, the other a project manager. One of them let me do my job. The other micromanaged me, or at least he attempted to. He was so busy micromanaging everyone, I could hardly get in to see him. When I did have a meeting, we were constantly interrupted, because he was busy micromanaging others as well.

Micromanaging causes frustration. In the end, it can provide the impetus for staff to leave.

How to avoid micromanaging.
Firstly, you have to focus on coaching and developing your people. Secondly, you have to use delegation techniques correctly. Finally you need to trust yourself and the people who work with you.

Coaching and development.
Every opportunity should be used to develop your people. Your approach should embrace the concepts of life long learning. When assigning tasks, take the few extra minutes to explain the context of the task - what is involved and how does it relate to the bigger picture. Create the opportunity for your staff member to be interested in what you are asking them to do.

Delegation.
Whenever possible, try to delegate responsibility, not just assign tasks. You can still maintain some control, but the benefit of good delegation is that you assign the thinking required to the other person.

Trust.
You need to develop trust. As your people develop, let them get on with it. Do not try to justify your own importance. It can be very annoying.

I heard of an interesting case recently. A person was selected as a minute taker for board meetings of a large organisation. Even though the person had prior experience, given the importance of the accurate recording of key decisions, it was felt that the minutes should be reviewed by the Secretary prior to release. This occurred. However, it became obvious that the checking process was no longer required when the only alterations made consisted of changing subheadings to italics. It was insulting for the checking process to continue. Clearly the minute taker had the skills and the responsibility should have been delegated.

Managers have to let go. They provide the broad direction and guidelines. They check and review, but only at the broad level. They do not need to redo the work. To do so only causes frustration and annoyance.

Micromanaging can do a lot of damage. It is unproductive. It benefits no-one.


Related Articles

  Death by Micromanagement
  Legal Marketing: Is your communication effective?
  2 Ways to Avoid Being Micromanaged
  Stress-Free Selling® - How to Talk About Competition
  Take control of projects with PMP certification
  Leadership Qualities - Action
  Leadership Assessment #16 – Build a Reinforcing Culture
  Why Transformation Efforts Fail
  Grammer Tips
  Looking For A Legitimate MLM?
  Franchising Mistakes and how to avoid them
  FranchisorFranchisee Relationship
  Turn On Your Selling MOJO In 4 Easy Steps
  7 Quick & Easy Ways to Avoid Procrastination
  The benefits of learning what successful entrepreneurs do
  Ten Ways to Build Client Trust
  How to take Strategy and Turn It into Results
  Scheduling Resources For Organizations Made Amazing
  Question of the Day: What will you do with your failure?
  The Top 7 reasons why Franchising is Better than a Brand New Business

Home > Human-Resources > Derek Stockley > How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Micromanagement >

Free PDF Download
The three types of happiness - are you really happy? - By Derek Stockley

Name: Email:

About the Author: Derek Stockley

RSS for Derek's articles - Visit Derek's website
Derek Stockley is a training, learning and performance consultant based in Melbourne, Australia. His website (www.derekstockley.com.au) contains over 100 articles designed to help people and organisations do more. His consulting business covers public training programs and in-house assignments. Derek's main focus is improving performance, whether it be at the individual or organisational level. His current focus revolves around employee engagement.
Click here to visit Derek's website.
Dashed Line

More from Derek Stockley
The three types of happiness are you really happy
Are you or your employees engaged with your organisation
Is There a Difference Between Training and Learning
The Importance of Websites in the Overall Marketing Mix
What is Effective Delegation

Related Forum Posts

Re: Search Engine Friendly Web Development Re: Search Engine Friendly Web Development
Re: How can I promote my site? Re: How can I promote my site?
Re: 365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make Re: 365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make
7 Top Blog Design Tips 7 Top Blog Design Tips

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause
Featured Article



Worksheets
By: Evan Carmichael

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

8 Powerful Steps to Finding Your Passion

Does your pitch suck?

Create a plan of attach to launch your new business.

8-Cover

Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Employee Induction – the why and how

How do you find a franchise with great returns?

••••••>Creative Titles Creation for Great SEO

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.