Escape the Grip: 6 Ways to Thrive Under a Micromanaging Boss

Do you have a boss who is always micro-managing you? 

You do? 

I'm sorry. 

You have my complete sympathy. No one should be treated that way.

"You should just leave!" they say - with 'they' being your friends, family and partner.

Unfortunately, however tempting it is to up-sticks and leave, it's more complex. You have bills to pay, responsibilities to take care of, and food to put on the table. 

Don't give up hope.

Of course, leaving the job - or, more accurately, the boss - you hate may be the best thing to do. Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect.

But what can you do until you make your escape?

Well, you can learn the art of dealing with your detail-obsessed overlord by being proactive and patient and having a well-thought-out game plan. 

So, for now, close your CV document and let's dive in...

Understanding the Mind of a Micromanager

The first thing we must do is check whether you are being micro-managed. Because, to be fair, one person's micro-management is another person's attentive guidance. 

Micromanagement is a management style characterised by excessive control and attention to detail, often destroying employee autonomy, productivity and enthusiasm. It can stem from a manager's lack of trust, a need for control, and the manager's own fear of failure.

The signs of micromanagement include:

• Constant oversight
• Difficulty in delegating tasks
• A focus on minor details rather than the bigger picture 

So, let's assume you are being micro-managed. What can you do about it?  

6 Strategies for Dealing with a Micromanaging Boss

1. Build Trust

A root cause of micromanagement is a need for more trust. 

I know, I know. You ARE a trustworthy person! You can be relied upon to get things done and to do a good job. Yet, more often than not, we're dealing more with your boss's anxieties than yours. 

So, try to build a deeper level of trust with your boss by consistently delivering high-quality work and meeting or, better still, beating deadlines.

2. Increase Communication

Increasing the amount and variety of communication you have with your superior can also help.

Consider having more frequent calls or meetings to discuss your projects and any challenges you face. Increased communication can reduce the need for your boss to constantly seek updates and reassure them of your abilities.

3. Seek Clarification on Expectations

Sometimes, micromanagement starts with unclear expectations

These expectations often revolve around unclear job roles, tasks and responsibilities. If they're up for it, try to have a candid conversation with your boss about what is expected of you. Ask for specific goals and metrics by which your boss will judge your performance. 

Of course, you should have had these types of conversations when you started the job. Unfortunately, these clarifying conversations happen too infrequently (annual review, anyone?) or, worse still, never. 

So, could you increase the clarity between you and your boss and see how this reduces their need to control every aspect of your day?

4. Provide Alternatives

Could you suggest other ways to show your competence and reliability?

For example, see if your boss would be open to a trial period where you have more autonomy to complete a project, perhaps with agreed-upon check-in points. Demonstrating your capabilities with end-to-end projects can help your boss feel more comfortable with less oversight in the future.

5. Feedback and Negotiation

Does your boss know how their management style is affecting you? Studies have shown that providing feedback on how micromanagement affects your work and well-being can make a difference.

As part of your new, regular conversations with your boss, share how their behaviour impacts you.

Approach this conversation with empathy and understand that your boss's behaviour likely stems from their pressures and insecurities. Think ahead and offer solutions that address your need for more autonomy and theirs for completing important goals.

6. Self-reflection and Self-development

Okay. Let's take some ownership of the situation. 

I've seen managers move from a more relaxed style to an autocratic one when junior colleagues have messed up. When these mishaps occur repeatedly, especially when the manager's neck is on the line, relationships between junior and senior people can become strained.

Obviously, if a team member needs to correct mistakes, questions should be asked about whether they've received the proper training or need extra support. 

Unfortunately, from many managers' points of view, the best way to prevent mistakes is to either do the task themselves or give detailed and precise step-by-step instructions—or, in other words, micro-manage. 

It may be time then to take a look in the mirror.

Think about whether aspects of your performance contribute to the micromanagement. Have there been occasions - whether they were your fault or not - when your boss thought you'd messed up? Is this when the relationship between you and your boss changed?  

Be honest with yourself.

Are there areas in which you could improve?

If so, put your hand up and ask for help. Own up to your weaknesses and be open to learning and improvement. Demonstrating your commitment to growth can alleviate some of your boss's concerns.

Seek out any opportunities for professional development that help increase your skills and confidence. These opportunities include attending training courses and workshops, studying for qualifications or simply listening to podcasts related to your job. 

This growth attitude not only benefits your career but demonstrates to your boss that you are proactive about your growth, potentially reducing their need for control.

Conclusion

Dealing with a micromanaging boss is challenging and exhausting. You can navigate this tricky situation more effectively by:

1. Understanding the underlying causes
2. Improving communication
3. And taking proactive steps to build trust 

Turning a micromanaging boss into a supportive leader who trusts and values your contributions takes time. But it's not impossible. It takes patience, courage, empathy, and a strategic approach. 

Remember, the goal is not just to remove the symptoms of micromanagement but to foster a healthier, more productive working relationship with your boss.

Of course, you should NOT be treated this way in the first place.

And if you try the steps above and nothing changes, LinkedIn is a great place to start...

Good luck 🤞🤞🤞