Confessions of a recovering micromanager | Chieh Huang

Think about the most tired you've ever been at work. It probably wasn't when you stayed late or came home from a road trip -- chances are it was when you had someone looking over your shoulder, watching your each and every move. "If we know that micromanagement isn't really effective, why do we do it?" asks entrepreneur Chieh Huang. In a funny talk packed with wisdom and humility, Huang shares the cure for micromanagement madness -- and how to foster innovation and happiness at work.

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[SaltySparrow]

People want guidance, but not to be abused.

[jmfs]

I have a micromanager right now, and they literally will lead me in the wrong direction on projects for 75% of the timeline, and then suddenly change and expand everything to the point that everything I was asked to spend that time on is useless and I have to start from scratch with 25% of the time to complete the project... and then they granularly micromanage every task in the chaotic rush to hit the deadline. It is exhausting, and any time I try to talk about it I'm told I have a bad attitude... I'm literally practicing talking like Morgan Freeman to sound as positive and calm as possible, and it doesn't seem to matter, every word is deemed "negative" and that I "don't like feedback".

[thinwolf]

One of the best TED talks I have ever watched.
Should be required for every manager at promotion or hiring, especially in larger business or organizations. As a test; if the newly minted manager doesn’t “get it, ” they should be flagged and redirected into non-managerial positions.

[julshz]

Wow. I really needed to hear this. Now I know why I'm so exhausted -- I'm under a friggin microscope, and she doesn't even write my paycheck. Thanks for this.

[hamdehb]

I had a manager who used to micromanage me to a point that he started asking me to fill out activity sheets for everyday in the week at half hour intervals and then fill out what I actually got done and I was in a manager position. So I did what any normal person would do, I ignored that sheet. Every weekly meeting for the next 3 weeks he would mention on our to do excel sheet that I still didn’t send it and I would say oh okay I forgot until he asked me “why don’t you want to fill out that sheet?”. I replied “well, why do you want me to?” He then said “It’s a good time management tool for you”. I then replied “yes I agree, however I don’t see the point of sending it to you, If I’m actually getting all the work done.” That was the day he realised that he was micromanaging me and backed off. We had a conversation and talked about expectations and then it got better.

I started updating him on a daily basis, that we actually cancelled our weekly meeting because he always knew what was going on and that I was able to do the job without the constant supervision.

[swoosh.]

I have a company which micromanages big time. It has killed my confidence to a degree where its hard for me to make a decision for any sort of little stuffs in my personal life as well. It has made me feel too incapable even on the things I know I can excel.

[NubNeb]

First time watching this guy, but he's a super great speaker!!

[edwardpiner]

This guy is hilarious much love from Ontario Canada

[DrZudsi]

I was having issues with one guy I work with micromanaging me. It was absolutely making my work days miserable. As this guy is quite a bit higher up than me in the company, I didn't know how to go about the situation. I told my supervisor I was having issues and asked him to talk to the guy. Supervisor was kind enough to do that for me. Once my supervisor talked to him, the guy came over and apologized and we talked it out and he has since backed off a bit. He's a nice guy, so once he was aware, he tried to improve. There's still some minor issues here and there, especially when we get busy, but overall it's definitely better.

I guess the moral of the story is, if you're being micromanaged and you want it to stop, talk to that person, whether it be yourself, or through someone else (HR in this guys example). If they don't realize what they're doing, they don't know what it is they need to fix.

[supremeoghenewoakpo]

Yeah, for even efficiency in team work, we need to trust others competence and capabilities to avoid MICROMANAGEMENT!
Good job Chieh!

[mohammedalowais]

Thank you TED for letting Chieh Huang talk. His insight is very valuable.

[mohammadfeizi]

What an amazing speech! Both employees and, more importantly, managers should listen to it.

[luhe]

in my last job, I needed guidance for a while because I was getting into a new field. thing is, after like a month I felt comfortable and secure enough to do it by myself...but my boss wouldn't get off of me. ended up in me quitting the job. I was her 8th demission that year, so that should tell you something.

[azr]

I dislike micromanagers do not wish them well . I thrive when managers trust and allow their employees to get the job done in their way.

[dollarquantums]

I had two micromanagers at the same time and I left the company a year ago. Then I rejoined back months ago thought they've changed. And now I regret again. Foolish me.

[TopFlightSecurity]

i feel like sending this to my supervisors

[sonnynyc]

This was a really good talk. Kudos to Chieh! More managers need to take note of this.

[TheAcc]

I‘m glade to see some managers trust their employees

[glennkitchen]

trust your teams abilities and let them use their skills.

[DojoOfCool]

The last place where I worked before retiring the owner of the company was the worst I say Nano Manage ever. He tried to drain every nano second of people's time no matter what there job was. He thought he knew everything about everything because he read a lot of articles about <fill in the blank>. Many people quit, he fired quite a few, and he definitely sucked the life and spirit out of the staff. Never worked anyplace in my life where at the stroke of 5pm cam and the office because a ghost town, no one stayed a minute longer than required. The owner also tried to play people against each other thinking it would motivate one or both, no just more frustration. He did it with me and it backfired on him. I was talking retirement already, but I had wiggle room in my date. The owner started pleading with me to stay because he want to fire the other person in my position and admitted what I suspected he was got to outsource our jobs so could I stay and handle everything till he switches. He had ticked me off enough and really taken advantage of my coworker. Also my coworker had a family and getting fired without warning would really be a major problem. So told the owner I couldn't stay, I also hinted to my coworker to start looking for another job. I couldn't say more because the owner of small company had camera and I suspect microphone everywhere. I know from a coupe of the employees he pulled into his office to critize them the level of details in his gripe. So I would say micro managing and nano managing like my last job backfires more than it could ever help.