Managing the Micromanager

She’s there, hovering over you like a helicopter, scoping out your every move. He’s there, with his passive aggressive BCC you know he’s added to every email. That’s right; it’s your micromanager, digesting every word you type, recording every semi-failure and success. But all you hear, the only feedback you get is negative. Here’s the thing though--it’s their job. And most likely, they are doing it well. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been put in that position in the first place.

In every position I have ever had, in every company I have ever worked for, there is a micromanager, albeit with varying degrees of “micro.” It can be especially difficult for those who are free-spirited, or highly organized, as well as those who have a high sense of work ethic and find it an insult to be tracked down and made to explain the strategy used, regardless if that strategy was a mandate handed down in the first place. It can kill morale, personal productivity and make a once dream job a nightmare to wake up to each morning. There are some strategies you can use to lessen the feelings of dread as you walk into the office each morning, something that I have had to remind myself of each time I encounter one of those highly energetic, over-bearing leaders.

Find the Pain Point

Literally, this is the point where you are telling yourself, “OMG, s/he is such a pain in my ass.” More times than not, this pain-in-the-ass moment is generally reoccurring over the course of time. It could be a deadline, a report, something that is expected of you that you completely have control over, but they “just want to make sure” it’s being completed. You know it’s being done; you more than likely have the proof. The solution: be proactive. Deliver the product/service/task before its due date (or time). You know it has to be done anyway. It may take a week or so to juggle it better into your schedule, but not having those pesky, snarky emails waiting in your inbox is well worth the effort.

Flattery is to Ego Like Pollen is to Bees

Yep. Flattery calms the crap storm of the unknown. Micromanagers need to have their hands into everything because they are usually very uncomfortable with the unknown. They NEED to know what’s going on in every facet so that they themselves can be calm. A simple, “Thank you so much for your help” or, “You’re a rock star!” will help to alleviate their own insecurities and restate the fact that they already purport--they really are doing a great job (regardless if the poking and investigating of others work is actually helpful or productive). It only takes a few seconds to say or type these sentiments, which saves you time in the long run when you are left alone to do your job later in the day rather than reporting your progress every hour. Reassurance from you that the job is, in fact, getting done with a little bit of flattery attached will pay itself two-fold, not to mention help you have a better working relationship with said manager. Don’t go crazy though, you want it to be sincere. Consider it your job to put the cherry on top; it’s not your job to ice the whole cake.

Network Like a Champion

I am a huge proponent of networking. Getting yourself noticed is half the battle. Volunteer for committees, take your place at a table with the rest of your office at charitable events, and crash a reasonable meeting or two (if you can). Your micromanager’s managers will most likely be there and it can’t hurt to have others know your name, what you do for the company and what you can contribute in the future. If your micromanager is there, they will see you taking an interest and may lay off a bit if they feel you are invested in a project. Networking takes practice, much like public speaking, to do it well. The only way to network is to start though, and you never know, it may lead to a promotion or other career move. You can also take pride in helping to come up with a new strategy for the company, or helping those in need among your community. That’s a plus.

Second to Last Resort

If you have been proactive in your work, you’re using flattery in response rather than the impertinent ones in your head and communication is at a stale and volatile pace, it may be time for a sit down, face-to-face and lay it all out on the table kind of meeting. This one is tricky. Note the recommendation above for flattery. You will have to be tactful and you will need to be professional. This is not a time for two fingers of scotch. Or eight. Best leave the cocktails for after the meeting, once you see their tail lights growing smaller. Also, once conversation has commenced, speak with terms of, “It makes me feel...” and follow up with concrete examples and facts of how you have done your job, on time and on task. If for some reason the job hasn't been done on time or on task, provide an overly adequate explanation why, otherwise you’re a bleeding cast away awaiting for that first deadly shark bite.

The Last Resort

Go over her/his head and speak to the next manager in line. You never know, you may not be the only one with the same complaint. Again, tactfulness and professionalism is a must, as well as concrete examples of wrong doing on their part and right doing on your part. You don’t want to be denoted as the complainer, the slacker, etc. Once you've reached this level in the chain, expect their manager to question them afterwards and to provide documentation. Be prepared and have documentation ready to hand over to support your conversation. It’s important that you cover yourself if, well, it all hits the fan. Because it will.

Lastly, remember that the micromanager was put into that particular position because they are detailed-oriented and committed (for the most part, there are some that should not be where they are, but it’s not our position to question it, not yet anyways) to overseeing a complex process. They are probably under some pretty strict deadlines which mean without the work you do, they can’t do their jobs properly. Morale may be down, but with the confidence and pride that you take in the work you do, that can be overcome, along with their badgering with some strategic changes. Just remember, be proactive, flatter, hold your tongue and get lost in what you once loved to do—your job, the thing you do best.

© 2012 Kara O'Ferrell
May not be reproduced without prior permission.