Micromanagement can be a major source of workplace stress and high turnover rates. But if your boss is micromanaging you and you feel like it’s negatively affecting your job performance, there are steps you can take to improve the situation.
The initial step in improving your working relationship with your boss is being honest about their micromanaging behavior and its effects on you. While this may be a difficult conversation to have, having this open dialogue will help foster a healthier working environment both of you share.
1. “It’s not my job to do that”
If you want to take the first step toward dealing with a micromanaging boss, it’s essential to comprehend what drives their behavior. Sometimes this can be due to an innate personality trait or it could simply be due to issues within your company’s organizational structure.
Micromanaging by a boss often indicates they don’t trust other team members to do their job effectively. Instead, the boss likes to stay involved in every detail of work. Unfortunately, this leadership style does not build confidence or empower employees, leading to decreased productivity levels.
Next time your boss begins over-emphasizing a minor detail, try saying to them “It’s not my job to do that.” This phrase may sound like an indirect request for feedback, but it will help them realize they are being too critical of themselves and need to take action on their own initiative.
Another way to tackle this situation is being honest about your mistakes and why they occur. For instance, if you’re frequently turning in projects late or making errors that don’t require your boss’s attention, it could indicate a lack of self-discipline or other problems with work ethic.
It can be a challenging conversation to have, but it’s necessary in order to get to the root of the matter. Your boss likely understands that some latitude is needed in exchange for your commitment to work hard – just make sure you’re prepared to manage that freedom without compromising performance or relationships with colleagues.
2. “It’s not my job to do that”
Micromanaging bosses have their finger in every pie and refuse to delegate authority for strategic decision-making. Their obsession with control extends even to the smallest details, hindering employees from making informed choices.
In some instances, these managers may have genuine concern for the quality of their work but become overly focused on the small things. For example, they might nitpick a typo out of concern for how it could impact the company’s reputation.
Though this might seem like a valid concern, it does nothing to actually assist the team with their tasks. Instead, it demonstrates the manager’s lack of faith and trust in their employees.
A responsible manager will regularly assess their employees’ work and make adjustments as necessary. These checks and balances guarantee the quality of their team’s output, as well as confirming that everything is progressing according to plan.
Micromanaging bosses may be more demanding than this and require reviews for every piece of work an employee completes. This can cause delays and frustration for the employee, especially when trying to finish a project on time.
If the employee is having difficulty persuading her boss to change, it may be necessary to step back and consider the bigger picture while working around any overbearing habits. This requires both time and patience on both sides; however, the effort often pays off in the end.
If you have exhausted all other options and your micromanaging boss still interferes with your work, it could be time for a change of scene. This could be the best solution in getting rid of their overbearing supervisor and finding something more suitable in the long run.
3. “It’s not my job to do that”
No matter how infuriating or even stressful your micromanaging boss may be, you have the right to work independently and feel productive without being restricted. Furthermore, you have a right to accept feedback in a calm, respectful way.
Though your boss may not be aware that they’re micromanaging, a closer examination of their actions will enable you to decide if this is an actual issue. For instance, if they spend too much time talking with teammates and exhibit an overly thorough attitude regarding their role on the team, then perhaps it’s time for them to step away from oversight duties.
However, if the issue is more complicated, be empathic and try to discover what’s causing them to feel the need to constantly be on the go. It could be a lack of confidence, an incorrect perception about what your boss should be doing, or an misguided company culture.
One way to determine this is by meeting with your manager and discussing ways both of you can do a better job. This could involve discussing priorities and goals as well as ways to increase productivity by giving each other more freedom in the workplace.
If you and your manager have a good working relationship, this could be a good starting point to breaking down their overbearing habits. But remember: changing the habits of an indoctrinated micromanager takes time.
If you don’t see any progress, be patient and try another approach. If your manager still micromanages you, it could be time for a change or move on altogether. For more advice, explore our extensive job service to discover how to find a flexible position that empowers you.
4. “It’s not my job to do that”
Micromanagers are those individuals who exercise an undue degree of control over the smallest details of your work. They often believe that if they don’t intervene, the business will collapse.
Although it can be challenging to alter your boss’s overbearing attitude, it is achievable. You just need to be patient and willing to make necessary adjustments as you go along.
Breaking this cycle begins by acknowledging your boss’ nitpicking is indicative of their insecurity and low self-esteem, according to Jenny Chatman, professor of management at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley who studies and consults on organizational culture. If they lack confidence and feel inadequate in their role as manager, it could be indicative of deeper underlying issues.
Meeting with your boss to review expectations and clarify your role within the company will allow you to identify any areas where communication has become blurred. It also serves as an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you possess all of the qualities necessary to become their trusted subordinate.
Once your manager has clearly articulated their expectations, you can put those words into action. Doing so will enable you to demonstrate that you possess the capacity for meeting their requirements and grant yourself the autonomy needed for success in your role.
Finally, if you’re finding it hard to manage your workload and stress levels are rising, it may be time for you to search for a new job. Avoid dealing with an employer who doesn’t prioritize either your wellbeing or productivity.
5. “It’s not my job to do that”
Micromanaging bosses are notorious for being annoying, and research has even found that it’s the number one predictor of employee resignations. Not only is over-supervision an annoying trait, but it can also hinder career advancement and professional development opportunities for workers.
To free yourself from your manager’s excessive monitoring, set clear expectations for how things should be done and communicate them clearly. This includes asking your boss to clarify her expectations as far as what needs to be done and when.
Communicating regularly is beneficial, so your boss can stay informed about your progress and trust that all tasks will be completed on time. This could include sending an email every Friday or communicating through text or instant message each day.
Micromanaging behavior from your boss could be indicative of insecurity. They may feel uncertain of their leadership abilities or suffer from imposter syndrome.
When you notice a pattern, bring it to your boss’ attention and explore ways that you can enhance your management style. Alternatively, survey the team to uncover what changes they would prefer you make.
If your manager is always criticizing, you can try alerting them that their input negatively affects your work. For instance, you might mention how their requests for updates make it difficult to complete tasks on time which in turn lowers productivity levels.
Consider asking your supervisor for regular one-on-one meetings to assess progress and confirm that their goals are aligned with yours. Doing this can reduce their stress level and give you the freedom to excel in the role. By expressing feelings and worries openly, they may have more faith in your abilities and enable growth within the role.