How to Deal with a Micromanaging Boss

How can you deal with a micromanaging supervisor or boss at work? In this article, you will find practical solutions to feeling micromanaged by someone.

What is micromanagement?

The term micromanagement is defined as “excessive control or attention to details, especially small details”. In the work environment, micromanagement generally has a negative connotation.

Are there times when micromanaging has a place at work? Interestingly, the journal Radiology Management reports that micromanagement can be necessary as a short-term solution. For example, micromanagement is useful when training new employees or handling high-risk situations. However, long-term micromanagement generally has negative consequences.

The consequences of dealing with a controlling boss include anxiety, reduction in productivity, low morale, and anxiety. The negative impact of micromanagement doesn’t just affect staff. Micromanagers also risk burnout, frustration, and hindering company growth.

How to deal with a micromanager

Let’s look at 4 ways to cope with a person in authority who micromanages.

1. Understand their actions

While you can excuse micromanagement, it is helpful to recognise its underlying causes. Micromanaging usually stems from insecurities that your boss has. More often than not, these are nothing to do with your performance.

Giving your boss frequent updates may help to reduce their need to check up on you so often. Even though this is not your style, you reduce the need for your boss to micromanage you. This may help to alleviate some of the anxiety you feel because it gives you more control.

Of course, it’s important to make sure that their micromanaging isn’t due to a result of your failings.

2. Prove your credibility

Micromanagers usually have difficulties delegating and letting go. They may also be under pressure from their superiors who may also be micromanaging them. Try to find a way to chat with your boss about their workload and offer to help out with a task or tasks to make the workload easier.

If you do the job well and your boss sees you are responsible, they may give you some more space. This may also help your boss see the benefits of delegating tasks.

3. Communicate

One of the most delicate situations is to speak with your boss or superior about problems their management style is causing. So, how can you go about this?

One way is to make a list of the different ways your boss is interacting with you. This is not to accuse them of improper conduct, but to highlight how their actions are stifling your work. Choose a time when you are feeling calm and communicate that you understand the challenges of management. After discussing the issues, make sure that you have some solutions to offer and highlight the benefits to all involved.

The discussion may also help you see the bigger picture and understand the pressure your supervisor is under.

4. Don’t invite micromanaging

Sometimes, in an effort to deal with an overpowering boss, you can unwittingly invite them to micromanage. This usually happens by asking for permission. To a micromanager, this gives signals that you are unsure, not in control, and it just reinforces their need to micromanage. The best way to act is to keep your boss informed of progress and ask for feedback if necessary. Because of your boss’s need to micromanage, these updates have to be frequent.

If it becomes impossible to deal with a micromanager, then you may have no choice but to speak to HR about the situation. However, taking steps to handle micromanagement should help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with it.