Leadership advice: Why micromanaging often doesn’t help

Post date: Apr 16, 2019 6:4:25 PM

It’s not as though micromanagers are out to make work outright miserable for the staff; mostly, they are just trying to do right to make things work by sharing their experiences, helping others avoid mistakes, and keeping everything running smoothly. But often the impact of such an approach does not match the intention, explains seasoned businessman Ram V. Chary. Most people on the receiving end of micromanaging typically feel distracted, incompetent, and resentful. This is because micromanaging tends to limit creativity and innovation and decreases employee engagement. Moreover, it tends to waste time as it requires more than one person to do a single employee’s work. Micromanagers are so hated by many that some would-be employees would even pass up on a dream job in the presence of one. Interestingly, most micromanagers are conscious that they are doing it and would like to stop doing so, but they don’t know how. They argue that they want to maintain a high level of quality in the work for which they are responsible, hence they can’t simply walk away or be more relaxed with the staff.

Thankfully, there are ways to loosen, and completely detach from this vice-like grip. One is to refrain from focusing excessively on desired outcomes but on clearly explaining to one’s staff the necessary process and details. You don’t want to simply dictate results, as this prohibits employees from “owning” the process. Also, don’t just tell or order people what to do, as compliance is not really a sustainable approach, explains Ram V. Chary. It would be better to allow your staff to freely commit to tasks on their own.

Ram V. Chary has held various leadership positions for several companies. He was the CEO and president of Multimedia Games Holding Company, Inc., executive vice president of Global Commercial Services, and head of the technology division at Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Visit this blog for more on Mr. Chary’s work and interests.