How to Deal with a Micromanaging Boss

While a micromanaging boss might mean well, working under one can put you in an awkward position and negatively affect your job performance and overall well-being.  More than three-quarters of Americans state that they have been micromanaged at work.  This management style can create resentment, damage trust and result in employees feeling frustrated and even fearful.  Micromanaging bosses often tend to lead to unneeded worker stress.  Micromanagement occurs when a boss too closely observes or controls the work of their employees.  They can often constantly look over your shoulder and tend to be overly critical.  Often they ask numerous questions and give overly detailed advice or instructions.  Just because a boss finds it virtually impossible to delegate, don’t let yourself get frustrated and negatively affect your productivity.  Here are some tips to dealing with a micromanaging boss.

First off, try to win your boss’s trust.  If you let them get their way for a brief amount of time and be patient, often you can allow him or her to see you are doing well on your own.  Meet deadlines ahead of time and prove to your boss that you can be trusted to complete tasks on your own.

Use your initiative.  A micromanaging boss can only manage what they know you are doing.  If you improve something they don’t think of or foresee upcoming problems, then this will give you a chance to shine outside their influence.  Your achievements will speak for themselves.

Plant ideas.  Often micromanaging bosses are very set in their ways; they can be control freaks.  If you want a boss to be more receptive to your ideas and suggestions, try to make him or her feel like you came up with the idea together.  Try pointing out flaws in the way things are currently done and work with your boss as a partner to come up with new methods for efficiency.  You might not get the credit for the work you have done but it can make your life easier in the long run.

Delegate.  If your boss is constantly looking over your shoulder, he or she is constantly hampering your work.  Take advantage of this by using that extra attention to get them to help you in other ways.  If you need to focus on a task at hand, ask them to help you with other less pressing matters.  This will still give them a sense of control while letting you accomplish and meet your goals.

Explain.  While this might seem like a scary option, trying letting your boss know that his or her micromanaging is not helping you and is in fact rather a hindrance to your overall productivity.  Sit down with your boss one-on-one and explain to him or her that they can trust you to make successful decisions on your own that will help the company meet its goals.  Show that you’re a problem solver.

Trying moving your desk as far away from your boss’s office as possible.  If you stay out of sight, they’ll have less ability to be constantly looking over your shoulder as their physical proximity to you is lessened.  As they say, “out of sight, out of mind.”

Figure out what your boss really wants.  If you uncover the agenda of a micromanager, this can lead to less stress.  Try to learn what’s really important to your boss and give it to him or her.  What does he or she need to feel comfortable and confident letting you work independently?  After you know what your boss wants, you can make it happen and develop a better relationship with him or her.  Work with your bosses not against them.

Adapt.  Understand the realities you are faced with.  If your boss is a micromanager, he or she is not likely to change or be open to change.  Your boss is not your peer; your boss pulls rank so sometimes you just have to accept the cards you’re dealt.  Avoid being resentful or defensive.  Fighting with your boss won’t make your life any easier and won’t change his or her management style so you just have to accept that and move on.

Choose your battles wisely.  A micromanaging boss will often go to war with you on any issue.  Don’t get pulled into these struggles or you’re just adding unwarranted stress to your work life.  Think about what’s really important in the long run: keeping your job and doing it well.  This will save you time and a big, unnecessary headache.

Reexamine yourself.  In essence, take a look in the mirror.  Is there a reason your boss is micromanaging you?  Maybe you can do things better and more effectively?  Try to adapt to your boss’s working style and do things the way he or she likes things done.  While it might not jive with the way you like to do things, often you have no choice.

Lastly and most importantly, communicate with your boss.  Give him or her status updates regularly so you can avoid them coming over to you to see how your work is progressing.  If your boss wants a ton of information, hand it over.  Think of giving your boss concise progress reports.  This gives a micromanager a sense of involvement in what you are doing on a daily basis.  Ask your boss how he or she would like to be updated.  By doing this, you expand your boss’s comfort zone so he or she will trust you more in the long run.

While it’s often stressful and time-consuming to work for a micromanaging boss, sometimes you have no choice but to suck it up and play by the rules.  If you follow the advice given here today, you can give your boss what he or she wants while still being able to meet your goals and keep your sanity.

What are some tools and processes you’ve found effective in dealing with a micromanaging boss?  Have you used some of the tips recommended above in the past or do you use other strategies and methods?  Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.  Let’s start up a conversation!

Here are some articles you might want to check out about dealing with a micromanaging boss:

“How to Handle a Micromanaging Boss”: http://lifehacker.com/5994065/how-to-handle-a-micromanaging-boss

“4 Strategies for Dealing with a Micromanaging Boss”: http://alumni.asu.edu/news/blog/4-strategies-dealing-micromanaging-boss

“How to Deal with a Micromanaging Boss”: http://www.askamanager.org/2012/08/how-to-deal-with-a-micromanaging-boss.html

“How to Handle a Boss Who Micromanages”: http://www.womensagenda.com.au/career-agenda/builders/how-to-handle-a-boss-who-micromanages/201311043150

Until next time…