For Manager’s Only - Are You A Micro-manager?
The first time I ever dealt with a true micro-manager was when I was interviewing for a job at a very large, well known company. I won’t share the name. The interview was an all day affair that began at 8:00 am, included a lunch interview, and didn’t end until 5:00 in the evening.
My 8:00 am interview was with the hiring manager. My potential boss. He interviewed me and did as most managers do, asked if I had any questions. Of course I had questions, I am the interveiw guru. I better have questions.
I asked him about his management style. “What is your management style?” He proudly announced he was a micro-manager. It was over for me at that moment. I remained in the process, and interviewed at all the right times with all the right people, but as far as I was concerned they could fly me back home.
I was done when this director proudly declared his ability to micro-manage.
Here is my two cents on micro-managers:
Micro-managers have a difficult time trusting their employees.
Micro-managers have a difficult time not being in control
Micro-managers create an environment where their employees are fearful
Micro-managers want you to know they are the boss
Micro-managers dictate how the work must get done
Micro-managers tell you what to do rather than trusting you will make good decisions
Micromanagers hurt morale and productivity in organizations. Here are some things you can do to help you work with a micromanager:
1. Be very clear about the expectations of your micro-manager
2. Negotiate priorities so that you are not overwhelmed with owkr overload
3. Play within established boundaries given
4. Gain the trust of your manager
You are not a victim, even when you work with difficult managers. Take ownership of what is going on around you. The only person you can control is you. Do your job, understand the expectations, communicate and build trust. These things will help micro-managers trust that you can do your job and that they have nothing to worry about when it comes to you meeting goals and expectations.
Tags: boundaries, dictate, guru, hiring_manager, interveiw, interviewing_for_a_job, management_style, micromanager, micro_managers, prioritiesRelated Stories
POSTED IN: For Managers, The Interview, Tough Questions
1 opinion for For Manager’s Only - Are You A Micro-manager?
“Warning, Warning, Warning!”
Aug 23, 2007 at 10:51 pm
[…] know for me personally, I like to understand the leadership style of my boss. I will not work for a micro-manager. PERIOD. I need a strong leader, not milk toast, afraid to make a decision. If you had a bad […]
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