How to deal with a micromanager 😵‍💫 #careeradvice

[AdviceWithErin]

😅 Micromanaging is basically your boss’s way of saying “I don’t trust that you’re getting this done right/on time so I’m going to fix that by checking in with you constantly to make sure you’re doing it right/on track”

This can be a “them problem” or a “you problem” — and sometimes a combination of both!

Sure, tons of bosses simply lack management skills. They don’t know how to delegate, train, or empower people working under them.

But sometimes, micromanaging can be for a valid reason. Maybe a worker keeps making big mistakes, delivering things late, not following directions, etc.

Most of the time, this is simply an indicator that trust hasn’t been formed yet — and that can be fixed!

💪 Trust isn’t earned overnight; it’s built through small actions, compounding over time.

So micromanage your boss right back. “Macro-communicate” with them! Anticipate their anxieties, and reassure them that you are someone they can trust — not through your words, but rather through your actions.

You got this! 👏🏼

[rachell]

Can you do the opposite of a micromanager? A boss who doesn’t communicate enough on expectations and who neglects professional feedback?

[Lumosnight]

The problem with the macro communicate solution is that the manager will expect you to always do it. If you try to dial it down the micromanager will start panicking and accuse you of slacking off

[EsterThane]

Some micromanage because they want to control everything, too. It's not always just because they don't trust you or if something may go wrong. Sometimes, people are just shitty.

[elen]

I'm at a breaking point at my new job right now. I don't know how to endure the micromanagement, it's so annoying. You're too sweet Erin, not everyone can be like that, but thanks

[resS]

Trying macro communication only resulted in them telling me THEY make the decisions, so my suggested times to update or things to help the meeting go smoothly only made them angrier.😢

[myday]

Micromanagers usually suffer from high anxiety, they can't sleep at night over some detail. Companies need to have systems to identify them and offer therapy and leadership training. Some might need to be medicated to control their anxiety. Micromanagers hurt organisations and make good people leave and profits drop.

[JabeenSarang]

I listened so intently for a solution and realised that I have been doing exactly what you suggested & not does it work. Also, that boss isn’t necessarily a bad person, like in my case she’s just recently been promoted so I am giving her a benefit of the doubt that she’s just trying to learn the ropes and be updated with every small detail.

[Abcd-dzbn]

Micromanaging is not something I can tolerate at work so for me the best solution is to find another job. Period. If a person doesn’t trust my work progress then they won’t trust my communication.

[malstarrainbow]

I have an issue with my manager NOT giving instructions or sending me what I need to get my job done. How am I supposed to handle that? When I addressed it she became rude and disrespectful. I told her not to speak to me that way.

It’s a shit show.

[julienicholson]

I maliciously comply. If you're gonna micromanage I'm going to flood your inbox with updates and copy you on everything. You asked for it.

[Veroniquekky]

I just always go in with the macro communication from the get-go. Makes it easier in being a SWE in big tech — everyone knows exactly what to expect from you, because you told them explicitly, and they always let me know explicitly if and how that needs to be adjusted in some way and trust me to bring up appropriate problems/updates or timeline changes as they come. Any boss I would consider micromanage-y quickly became my best friend.

[calliehastings]

Recently I quit and just walked out the door. I’m done being treated poorly by employers

[LuvnLemons]

Micromanagers also take full credit for projects without ever acknowledging team contributions….which sucks when it comes time for reviews as they (again) take personal credit for your work. It’s a nope for me…will not work with a micromanager ever again.

[joypeace]

Micro managing can also be a form of bullying behavior.

[trainwreck_mk]

I appreciate the tips to work better with them, but you shouldnt have to anticipate their requests. Thats putting a strain on yourswlf that will only wear you out over time (did that for like 5 years, it was genuinely the worst)

[parkjiminismylight]

I had a boss that would "assign" our reports to work on them, between me and my coworker. Thing is... it was like 2 or 3 reports, we got them directly so he didnt really need to "distribute" the work load because it was dorect from client to us 2. Anyways I felt micromanaged by him because his unnecessary "directions", that when he would use to sent us the assignment, I would reply "already assigned and working on it". After a week he got the clue and stopped trying to "assign" the 2 or 3 reports a day we got.

[just_toko]

I know this is great advice but I don't like it. Just keeping it real. I'd prefer the manager look at the deliverables and if I'm making mistakes then you have something to worry about but if not then back off coz all the time I'm wasting chatting with you is time I could be using actually getting work done.

I had a micro-managing boss (I think hers was more due to incompetence than distrust) but I'd always get more work done when she was out of office than when she was in.

[AloneintheLight]

You're playing their game this way. You cannot manage your time and organise your general work and tasks because you strive to make them happy. Doesn't change much to me, only the perspective

[sayhello]

I guess that would work with some people… but I think of it like raising a toddler or a dog. If you reward bad behavior, they’ll think you want them to behave that way since you are rewarding them for it by doing the thing they want. I think that with a lot of managers, just being direct could be a better approach.