In so many offices there is this one boss or manager that tries to micromanage the team’s functioning even when the team can manage it on its own.
Here we will not bring forth how a manager should behave but how you should deal with such a boss without becoming negative should, bickering all the time about how you are micromanaged.
Here are some tried and tested ways that will help you deal with a micromanaging boss in diplomatic ways.
1. Ask how you can make it better
Instead of waiting and wondering what your boss really wants, the best way is to directly ask about your manager’s goal in a very subtle way. Ask what you can do to make it better so that he or she has less stress from your end.
2. Understanding the manager’s perspective
Knowing your manager’s perspective when they micromanage should be your next step. Sometimes, they do it because they have been forced to by your or your team’s behaviour.
3. Let them know if it is suffocating
Instead of keeping it to yourself and letting hatred brew for your manager, let them know that it is getting overwhelming. Do not use the word ‘Micromanage’, this is an offensive term and your manager will defend which you won’t like. Negotiate a solution, you may even have to take up some responsibility so they do not have to micromanage. Be ready.
4. Find out the root cause
Sometimes it is not the team they are micromanaging but their own boss that pushes them to be the bad cop with their colleagues. In many places, the super boss is the cause of annoyance. There could be another reason too. They micromanage because they once depended on the team and the team failed them and broke their trust. It may have snowballed into something huge with the higher-ups. So it is best to know the root cause before you hate them.
5. Build that trust & synergy
When it comes to trust, it takes time to build. Your decisions and promises have to make the manager believe in you and this can only happen when you rise to the occasion and shine out when they need support. Develop synergy and build trust by creating time to connect and share what you’re doing, how it’s going and what comes next.
6. Be prepared for the curveballs
If you want to make things better and react less the way you do or feel then always be ready to expect curveballs. They may give you extra work at times but guess what, they did the same which is why they are a manager. They must have done something right so why not try that route? However, don’t become a carpet, that would be plain stupid. Use your logic and you are sorted.
