Dealing with Micromanagement

Each week Kevin McCarthy and Likky Lavji facilitate authentic conversations with leaders just like you to help you discover what it takes from being a manager who is good at getting stuff done to being a great leader who inspires others to do their best.

Micromanagement is a common problem in many workplaces. It can be frustrating and demotivating for employees, as well as detrimental to productivity and overall company culture. In this article, we will explore some strategies for dealing with micromanagement and creating a more positive work environment.

1. Communicate with your manager
   One of the first steps to dealing with micromanagement is to communicate with your manager. It is important to be respectful and professional, but also assertive in expressing your concerns. Let your manager know how their micromanagement is impacting your work and how it makes you feel. Use specific examples and be prepared to offer suggestions for how things could be done differently.
2. Build trust
   Micromanagement often stems from a lack of trust between the manager and the employee. Building trust can be a long process, but it is essential for creating a more positive work environment. Be reliable and consistent in your work, communicate openly and honestly with your manager, and follow through on your commitments.
3. Clarify expectations
   Often, micromanagers feel the need to control every aspect of a project because they are uncertain about what is expected of them or their team. To combat this, it is important to clarify expectations upfront. Make sure you understand your manager's goals and priorities, as well as your role and responsibilities. Agree on specific milestones and deadlines, and communicate regularly on progress.
4. Take initiative
   Micromanagers often feel the need to be in control because they are not confident in their team's abilities. To counteract this, take the initiative and demonstrate your competence. Look for opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, suggest new ideas, and take ownership of your work. By demonstrating your competence and taking the initiative, you can build trust and reduce the need for micromanagement.
5. Focus on results
   Ultimately, the most important thing is achieving results. Focus on delivering high-quality work and meeting your goals, rather than worrying about the details of how you get there. If you can consistently deliver results, your manager will be more likely to trust you and give you more autonomy.

We explore this and more in our Awareness Advantage podcast. Check out our episodes, and go from being a good manager--to a great leader!

Learn the strategies used by experts and build your own self-awareness with best selling authors, speakers and business coaches--Kevin McCarthy and Likky Lavji.

Creators & Guests

Host

Kevin McCarthy

Author of the bestselling book, BlindSpots – Why Good People Make Bad Choices, and holds the highest certification recognized globally by the speaking industry, the Certified Speaking Professional. An award-winning sales professional, he built one of the largest Century 21 offices in America, then developed and sold a dot-com startup. In 2004, his boss was arrested for the largest stock fraud in Washington State history. As a result, Kevin spent 33 months in federal prison for a crime he didn’t knowingly commit. There he studied Cognitive Psychology and recognized — then deeply researched — the blind spots that lead to his predicament. Today Kevin and his team expose the invisible barriers that impact culture, operations, training, service and leadership.

Host

Likki Lavji

A sought-after keynote speaker, Likky Lavji is passionate about helping others “break barriers” to unleash their human potential. In fact, his middle name, Madat, translates to ‘help’ and he channels this into providing value in every relationship he has – personal and professional. With over 25 years as a CEO of a top IT company, Likky’s extensive experience in executive leadership has given him a unique perspective that remains unchartered by leaders and organizations in understanding the layers beneath human behavior and how it impacts growth and productivity of an organization. He has been acknowledged by prominent organizations, including Telus Corporation, Lenovo Canada and Royal Bank of Canada for his ability to create mindset shift when it comes to commitment and powerful performance to achieve results.

Producer

Meghan Wier

undefinAn experienced business professional with a knack for balancing the demands of modern business. Strategic in thought and deed - a natural marketing communicator, team advocate, writer and digital guru. Adept at melding technology and communications to deliver a clear message. Articulate. An innovator, lifelong learner and believer in the importance of managing your job like a business - always focusing on high-value activities and looking for a better way to measure success. Leader-activist-change agent always seeking a new challenge. Meghan is also author of Confessions of an Introvert, The Girl's Guide to Career, Networking and Getting the Most Out of Life, available in English and Chinese, has ghost written and edited numerous books, training manuals and manuscripts, and is the Executive Producer of The Awareness Advantage podcast.ed

What is The Awareness Advantage Podcast?

Your leadership potential is limited by only one thing - blind spots!

Through decades of human potential research, we've discovered that most problems in the work place such as turnover, disengagement and conflict are due to one blind spot - possibly the most significant blind spot - a lack of awareness; real-time awareness of how leaders are coming across and being perceived by others.

Join bestselling Blind Spots authors, Kevin McCarthy and Likky Lavji and a studio audience of managers and senior leaders throughout North America as they discuss overcoming blind spots to develop and lead high-functioning, high-trust teams and organizational cultures.