Nobody likes being micromanaged, but one too many bosses are guilty of it.

Dealing with a controlling boss is difficult but what if they are not aware that they are controlling?  When a meeting begins with: “I am not a micromanager” in one breath and in the second they start dictating, that is a classic sign that they are a micromanager – even if they don’t know it.  In fact, most micromanagers don’t know that they are harming morale and – ultimately –productivity.

While paying attention to the details and making sure all tasks are getting done to ensure success is important, maintaining control of every aspect of the project is not necessary. Micromanaging will get the short-term results they are looking for, but over time it will negatively impact the team, the business and their career. The team begins to depend on them for every decision which will create organizational vulnerability when the micromanager is not present or heavily involved.

Here are a few examples of what you might hear from your boss and what they really mean:

Sound familiar?  While it’s tough to get your boss to change their behavior, you can employ some strategies to help you stay on your career path while maintain a professional relationship.

1. Keep them well-informed of any changes in the project or business.
2. Proactively set your own expectations and timeline before them asking.
3. Send an update to any timelines that had been previously set so they can manage their expectations.
4. Show them you are trustworthy, thorough and on top of your work.

As a valuable employee you should give it a few months to see change. If nothing seems to work, it is time to move forward to a team that is a better match for your work style. As Marcus Buckingham said, “People don’t leave bad companies, they leave bad managers.” It is good to remember that many of us have the propensity to be a micromanager, but some of us rein it in better than others.