Working with a highly involved boss can be great. They provide guidance but give you autonomy. They communicate expectations but give you support when needed. They trust your abilities and promo expertise. But what if your boss leans more toward micromanaging? Many of us have been there at some point in our careers. One survey shows that 79% of people have experienced micromanagement, and 85% said their morale was negatively impacted as a result.
Most bosses have good intentions and may not realize they’re providing more oversight than necessary. Whatever your manager’s personality or work style, you can take a few steps to create a smooth and productive working relationship with them.
In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share a few ideas from Marlene Chism, a consultant, speaker and author, on how to improve communication and trust with a hands-on leader.
- Use a different angle. Most people don’t want to be called micromanagers, so don’t use that term. What you consider micromanaging your boss may view as just checking in. Chism recommends getting specific by asking what your boss is doing that they shouldn’t be doing. Answering this question moves you from the general term of “micromanaging” to the specific behavior that needs to change.
- Change the interpretation. According to Chism, you can interpret your manager’s involvement as micromanaging or as engaged and excited. How you interpret the situation affects how you feel about your boss. She recommends listening to your narrative. You may find you need more empathy before engaging in a challenging conversation about changing behavior.
- Improve communication. If you’re feeling stressed about your boss’ behavior, don’t let those feelings fester. Relationships never improve by avoiding important issues, Chism says. This is true even when the other person has more perceived power than you. She recommends saying something like, “I’d like more autonomy in my work, and I want to find ways to support the team with my expertise.” Why does this approach work? Chism says it’s because you are “speaking to the vision,” which can open the door to more productive conversations.
- Increase curiosity. Think about why your boss likes to check in often or approve every decision. Maybe they’re new in a leadership role or perhaps they had employees drop the ball too many times. Rather than assuming anything, Chism recommends getting curious. Stop taking your manager’s tendency to micromanage as a personal assault. Instead, ask them about their concerns. You could say, “I’ve noticed you ask me for updates every week. What concerns do you have that I’m not on track?”
- Build trust. Every problem you encounter with a micromanaging boss is an opportunity to elevate your skills and manage upward, Chism says. She recommends trying to see things from your manager’s point of view and keeping a journal to document your insights. Aim to build trust so that your manager believes in your competence, character and confidence.
If your boss likes to be involved in your day-to-day activities, consider the points above. When you show your manager that you understand their preferences and communicate regularly, you can more easily navigate the dynamic.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Marlene Chism is a consultant, trainer and professional speaker. She is the founder of the Stop Your Drama methodology, an 8-part process for helping managers and small business owners identify the barriers that are holding back their teams.