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Surviving the Micromanager
How to Succeed with a "My Way" Boss
by Harry Chambers
Is a micromanager the boss of you?
Join the crowd.
A recent workplace survey revealed that four out of five people--managers and
workers alike--know firsthand the woes of being micromanaged. Micromanagers hurt
productivity and morale--and often drive others away. In fact, one out of three
people has changed jobs because of a micromanager.
The good news?
You're neither hopeless nor helpless.
There's a lot you can do to survive and succeed with a "my way" boss. But,
first, you've got to understand his behavior--and exactly how he manages to
disrupt people and performance.
Defining the behaviors
Micromanagers get a bad wrap--most often as "control freaks." Yet, to really
understand and deal with a "micro" boss, it's important to know the five
specific behaviors that define micromanagers.
• They exercise raw power.
Micromanagers love to flex their muscles--asserting their power and authority
just because they can. While unable to subordinate themselves, they control
others with an uncompromising sense of entitlement and self-interest.
• They dictate time.
Micromanagers like to control and manipulate others' time. They don't trust
people to assess their own workload, so they routinely dictate priorities and
distort deadlines. And while they guard their own time with an iron fist,
they're notorious for interrupting others, misusing and mismanaging meetings,
and perpetuating crises.
• They control how work gets done.
Micromanagers want everything to be done their way. After all, the boss knows
best--or so they think. They dismiss others' knowledge, experience, and
ideas--no matter how good--then hover over them to make sure they're doing
things "right."
• They require undue approvals.
Micromanagers share responsibility, but not authority. As the bottlenecks of the
workplace, they allow no one to move forward without their approval--even on
routine or time-sensitive matters.
• They demand frequent and unnecessary reports.
Micromanagers are driven to know what's going on. They monitor others to
death--requiring a stream of needless reports that focus on activity over
outcomes.
Getting real
Taking personal responsibility is where the rubber hits the road. If you're
really serious about succeeding with a micromanager, it's essential to
understand the realities.
• You are not a victim.
Victims have no options. You've got plenty of them. While the most extreme
option is to quit, why not try to improve the situation before you pack up and
go? Besides, micromanagers are everywhere!
• It's not about fixing him.
You can't "fix" a micromanager or force him to change on his own. You can,
however, find your own influence to defuse his disruptive behaviors.
• Your situation is what it is.
Focusing on what your situation "should" be saps energy and creativity. Instead,
deal in the real world by looking at your situation for what it really is.
• You can't change everything.
Some factors are well beyond your control, so get over them and focus your
energy and influence where it will really pay off.
Defusing the disruptive behaviors
There are a variety of strategies for dealing with a micromanager. Again, none
of them are about "fixing" him. Instead, they're about working to defuse his
disruptive behaviors--starting with some practical, sure-fire tips.
• Find out his agenda.
Everyone has an agenda, especially the micromanager. Figure out what's really
important to him, then work with him--not against him.
• Take the information initiative.
The micromanager is driven to know what's going on. Don't wait to be asked for
information. Find out what he needs to feel confident and comfortable, then get
it to him--ahead of time.
• Practice the "art" of communication.
No one fears inertia more than the micromanager. Show that you're in motion on
priority projects by communicating in three specific terms-- awareness,
reassurance, and timelines.
• Stay clear on expectations.
Confusion runs high with the micromanager--turning expectations into a
fast-moving target. Clarify your conversations and agreements in a trail of
memos and e-mails.
• Renegotiate priorities.
The micromanager is notorious for piling it on. Come up with a simple,
straightforward method--such as a numerical or color-coded system-- for
renegotiating the ever-shifting priorities.
• Be preemptive on deadlines.
The micromanager loves to impose and even distort deadlines. Be the first to
talk--offering a timeline for when you can do a task (not when you can't).
• Play by the rules.
The micromanager enjoys catching people in the act. Avoid being an easy target
and play by the rules--particularly on policies regarding time and technology.
• Learn from the "best practices" of others.
The micromanager backs off with some more than others. Watch them closely to
learn the secrets of their success.
• Pick your battles.
The micromanager will go to war on every issue. Don't try to match him. Instead,
pick the battles that are most important to you.
Taking the "I" out of micromanager
And what if you are a micromanager? You can overcome your own "micro" tendencies
if you're willing to confront and change them--before they compromise your
career. Figure out what you're afraid of. Seek 360 degree feedback. And get a
coach to develop some new "replacement" behaviors.
(c) 2004 Harry E. Chambers. All rights reserved.
Order this book from Amazon.com
Harry E. Chambers is a workplace expert specializing in management
and career development and the author of My Way or the Highway: The
Micromanagement Survival Guide. Contact
him at www.harrychambers.com. |
