Uh Oh- Signs your Manager is a Micro Manager and Insecure

What a dream it would be if we all entered the workforce where every manager we reported to was fantastic and knew what they were doing from a politically correct standpoint. A dream where our managers’ directions came from a confident and well-positioned authority that stems from corrective experience and knowledge. Unfortunately, most managers are inadequate, often hiding behind their insecurity in their roles, the type of work they manage, and their overall lack of personal security.

What most people don’t realize, or fail to correlate, is that poor managerial behavior doesn’t necessarily stem from a lack of education or experience but rather from the insecurities they have within themselves—insecurities about not being good enough, not being attractive enough, lacking in personal or family wholeness, or other personal voids that can aggressively take control of our lives. These insecurities often cause dreadful and offensive behavior in our day-to-day interactions.

What is truly frightening is that we have to worry about the type of manager we will be reporting to every time we land a new job or when there is another reorganization.

So with that being said, I am going to present to you ten signs that your new manager might be a micromanager and insecure about their role:

1. Excessive Oversight: They frequently check in on your work, asking for constant updates and status reports, often on minor details.

2. Lack of Delegation: They hesitate to delegate tasks and prefer to handle even small responsibilities themselves, showing a lack of trust in the team’s abilities.

3. Overly Prescriptive Instructions: They provide very detailed instructions on how to complete tasks, leaving little room for creativity or autonomy.

4. Constant Corrections: They regularly correct or redo work that doesn’t meet their exact standards, even if it’s not necessary.

5. Reluctance to Share Information: They withhold important information or only share it when absolutely necessary, often to maintain control over the team’s work.

6. Limited Decision-Making Authority: They make all the decisions, no matter how minor, and rarely seek or value input from team members.

7. High Focus on Small Details: They focus excessively on minor details rather than the big picture, often missing larger strategic issues.

8. Frequent Meetings: They schedule numerous meetings, including unnecessary ones, to keep tabs on the team’s progress and activities.

9. Lack of Recognition: They rarely acknowledge or praise good work, possibly fearing it might undermine their own authority or status.

10. Defensive Attitude: They react defensively to feedback or suggestions, showing insecurity about their decisions and management style.

Recognizing these signs can help you understand your manager’s behavior and find ways to navigate your working relationship effectively.

Stay Flashy!

Author: A Labbie (D.TIL)