Why is micromanagement bad, or how can it be avoided?

Yelyzaveta Sapozhnikova
2 min readJan 22, 2024

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Micromanagement: Signs, Effects and How to Fix It

Have you ever had a situation where your supervisor or customer is monitoring your every move, even going as far as scrutinizing every detail in your work?
It can be quite overwhelming and stressful, right?

- What are you feeling at that moment?
- High stress, damaged Trust, decreased Motivation, reduced Productivity, and in the final, Burnout and Fired.

So, I would like to pick up on this topic and share with you some tips on how to avoid it.

But first of all, let’s define the term of this.

Micromanagement is a pattern of manager behavior marked by excessive supervision and control of employees’ work and processes, as well as a limited delegation of tasks or decisions to staff.

To avoid micromanagement, it’s important to recognize the signs of it.

Here are some signs to look out for:
1) Your team can’t work without;
2) You request frequent updates on every task.
3) Your team won’t take the initiative on their own.
4) Your team hesitates to make any decisions.
5) You feel uneasy when not in control of every detail.
6) You redo others’ work to meet your standards.
7) You focus more on how work gets done than.

If you feel like your head is micromanaging you at work, it’s important to share your feelings and let your manager know how you work best. You can show initiative by proposing solutions and taking care of your mental health. If you’re feeling pressure, it’s best to request feedback on your performance so you can understand why your manager is being meticulous. Building trust by delivering high-quality work can help you avoid excessive control over your work. Lastly, it’s important to set boundaries respectfully and professionally. Be clear about what you don’t like or what makes you feel uncomfortable.

If it becomes unbearable, it is better to find a job where you’re valued. Remember, your health is more important than any job in the world!

On the other hand, the opposite of micromanagement is trust. When leaders trust their team, they:

• Give clear goals
• Set expectations
• Provide resources
• Support as needed
• Give helpful feedback

Trust your team to do the work and see the difference it can make!

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Yelyzaveta Sapozhnikova
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Project Manager, Certified Scrum Master (PSM I)| 4 Years of Expertise