How To Deal With A Micromanager: Less Stress, More Tips

Do you feel like you're suffocating at work, unable to make decisions without your boss breathing down your neck? Do you feel like you have to 'prove' yourself to your manager constantly?

If so, you’re a victim of a common phenomenon at work known as micromanagement. You're in the right place if you’re wondering how to deal with a micromanager while maintaining peace of mind.

Micromanagement can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of trust in employees, a desire for control, or a fear of failure. Additionally, some managers may have a perfectionist mindset and feel the need to oversee every aspect of a project to ensure it meets their high standards.

Here’s the big picture: Micromanagement can negatively impact your overall productivity and morale. It can even lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Hence, it’s important to address it at its roots.

But don't despair - By the end of this blog, you'll have the tools and insights you need to navigate your relationship with a micromanager and create a more positive and productive work environment. So let's dive in and discover how to deal with a micromanager - and reduce your stress levels in the process.

10 Tips on How to Deal With a Micromanager

1. Set Clear Expectations

Source: Seek.

The best strategy to counter micromanaging tendencies of a boss is to set clear expectations before you start a new project. Inform them about your work style before you start and work accordingly.

Setting clear expectations with your micromanager about what you are capable of delivering and how you intend to deliver it will be a great way to start. This can help to alleviate any uncertainty and mistrust that may be causing them to micromanage you.

What can go wrong while setting expectations?

Setting expectations with a micromanaging boss can lead to a lack of trust, increased scrutiny, miscommunication, and limited autonomy. This could potentially cause tension and stress for the employee. So careful communication with trust is necessary to avoid potential issues.

2. Build Trust

Trust is the key to any successful working relationship. Make sure you build a strong relationship with your micromanager and demonstrate your commitment to the organization.

Understand your manager’s management style and talk to them about how you can adjust your working style to it. Take your time in the trust-building process. It won’t happen overnight and might need some extra effort from your side. Remember, patience is the key!

How to go about building trust with a micromanager?

When it comes to building trust with a micromanager, it's all about playing the long game. You’ve got to prove your worth by staying on top of your game and communicating like a pro. That means keeping them in the loop, showing off your skills, and being reliable. It might take some time, but eventually, they'll start to see you're the real deal and settle back.

3. Communicate Regularly

When employers and employees communicate effectively, this can reduce problems and stimulate better performance at work.” - Raphael Oboravo.

Keep your micromanager informed of your progress and any roadblocks you encounter. Communication in the form of updates will take you a long way. This helps reduce their need to micromanage; it shows that you are capable of managing the workload efficiently while still following the norm of hierarchy.

What could go wrong while clearing your communication with a micromanager?

There’s a thin line between keeping them updated about your things and communicating with them to the point where they get annoyed. Too much information can sometimes come in the way of your productivity.

Too much communication can also lead to overpromising and underdelivering. Hence, choose your words wisely and do not overcommunicate.

4. Take Ownership

Imagine you’re having a contradiction with your manager in project management. The best way to deal with the situation is to take ownership of the project. Be proactive in your approach, and demonstrate your ability to manage your work and deliver results without constant oversight.

How to take ownership without letting down your micromanager?

Taking ownership may sometimes be frowned upon by your manager if not explained or communicated well. To make things clear, here are some of the things you can say;

Here are some things you could say to your manager:

• “I'm ready to step up and take ownership of this project, would you like me to keep you updated along the way?"

• "I'd like to take on more responsibility, but I want to ensure I'm meeting your expectations as my manager."

• "I'm eager to take ownership of this project, but I want to ensure it meets your expectations. Can we discuss your goals and expectations for this task?"

5. Demonstrate Competence

Showing off your skills and competencies among team members doesn’t hurt in any way. So why not do so?

Demonstrate your competence and expertise in your field. If you do this, your micromanager may be less concerned about your ability to deliver quality work. While at it, remember not to come off too harsh. Micromanagers may find it intimidating; you never know.

What could go wrong while demonstrating competencies to your micromanager?

Micromanagers may nitpick over minor details and waste time, leading to frustration. Demonstrating competencies to a micromanager can also result in a lack of trust if they are overly critical or do not delegate responsibilities.

6. Provide Regular Updates

Consistently providing updates can help prevent micromanaging by ensuring your manager remains informed and involved in the project. This proactive approach can establish trust and reliability while showcasing your ability to work independently.

By demonstrating your ability to keep your manager informed and take ownership of your work, they will feel more comfortable delegating tasks.

What could go wrong with providing regular updates to your micromanager?

Providing frequent updates to a micromanager can be a real headache. It can consume much of your time and prevent you from focusing on other important tasks. Plus, it can feel like you're always walking on eggshells and being second-guessed by someone who doesn't trust you to do your job. This can be really demoralizing and prevent you from feeling motivated and creative.

7. Patience is the Key

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” - Joyce Meyer.

Micromanagers can be frustrating to work with. However, realizing that their negative behavior might result from a need for control or insecurity is important. The worst way to deal with micromanaging behavior is by countering it with aggression.

Patience is your best friend in dealing with such a situation. Afterall, we’re all human. Having an understanding attitude towards them will help you find a solution that works for both of you.

How to maintain your patience with a micromanager?

To maintain patience with a micromanager, empathize with their perspective, set boundaries, communicate openly, and focus on the bigger picture. Understanding their need for control, clearly defining limits, building trust through communication, and staying motivated with the project's end goal can help you work better together.

8. Maintain A Healthy Rapport

Maintaining a healthy rapport with your micromanager is important because it establishes trust and open communication. By developing a positive relationship, you can show your manager that you are reliable, competent, and able to work independently. This can help them feel more comfortable delegating tasks and give them more autonomy.

What could go wrong while maintaining a healthy rapport with your micromanager?

One issue is that the micromanager may develop a lack of confidence in her abilities due to her constant need for control. They might doubt your competence and assume you can't complete tasks without their supervision.

Finding ways to communicate your capabilities and demonstrate your independence while respecting your need for control is important.

9. Offer Solutions

If you are finding it difficult to work with all the micromanagement, try to offer solutions to the problems you are experiencing. This can help demonstrate your proactive approach and commitment to finding a solution.

For example, you could introduce project management tools like Zira or Asana. This enables your manager to view the progress of your tasks on a day-to-day basis. This could give them some satisfaction over their micromanaging tendencies.

Can offering solutions to your micromanager go wrong?

Sometimes, micromanagers may feel threatened by proposed solutions. This can result in defensiveness, feeling threatened, or rejection. It's important to approach the situation with sensitivity. Carefully consider the best approach based on the individual and circumstances.

10. Appreciate Positive & Negative Feedback

92% of respondents agreed, “Negative (redirecting) feedback if delivered appropriately, is effective at improving performance.”

Seeking feedback from any supervisor, including a micromanager, can be important for professional development and improving job performance. This can help to build trust and demonstrate your commitment to improving your performance.

How to appreciate negative feedback if your micromanager does not make sense?

Receiving negative feedback from a micromanager without sense can be difficult to appreciate. It's important to stay calm and focused, take what you can use, and consider your options. Even if it doesn't make sense, there may be aspects of it that are valid.

A constructive approach can help you improve your performance while also addressing any concerns your micromanager may have. Approach the situation with a positive attitude and try to find common ground with your micromanager.

Signs of a Micromanager: How to Spot One?

Spotting a micromanaging boss can be easy if you know and have experienced the concept well. However, sometimes, we’re not aware that we’re being micromanaged. We accept their leadership style as ‘normal’ and end up draining our mental health and productivity at work.

Many managers often don't care about how employees feel and look out only for themselves. However, if you’re lucky enough, your micromanager might even address these signs if they’re communicated well.

We have listed 7 ‘symptoms’ of a micromanager. Go through these to assess if you’re being micromanaged with or without your knowledge. Understanding these signs will give you a better insight into how to deal with a micromanager.

1. Can’t Let Go of Ownership

Micromanagers have difficulty trusting others to complete tasks to their satisfaction. The difficulty of delegating tasks is one of the most common symptoms of micromanagement. They'll often hover over every detail. But while they prefer to do things themselves, they complain about having too much work later.

2. Breathes Down Your Neck

Micromanagers have a tendency to be controlling. They can be quite nosy about what their employees are doing. They might frequently check in on progress and constantly ask for updates. Here’s a worst-case scenario: they sometimes even sneak a peek at what's happening on your computer screen.

3. Obsessed with Protocols

Micromanagers will never ‘cut you some slack’ on anything. They’re always concerned with following established procedures than achieving results. They might create convoluted protocols and guidelines for every task, slowing productivity and stifling creativity.

4. Hard-wired in Their Ways

You come up with a fun idea at work to improve team engagement, but your manager shuts you down immediately. Micromanagers are resistant to change and new processes. This is because they feel more comfortable with what they already know.

5. There’s No Space

Micromanagers are notorious for not giving their employees any autonomy or space. Sometimes they can even pretend to be career coaches and micromanage every single decision. No matter the task's size, they give little to no independent thinking or decision-making opportunity.

6. Terrible at Communication

More often than not, they end up giving vague and unclear instructions, leading to misunderstandings and delays. Or they sometimes send in too many instructions and ‘processes,’ leaving employees feeling confused and frustrated.

7. Harbingers of Stress at Work

Micromanagement creates a stressful work environment. They can make the workplace tense and uneasy. The constant monitoring and lack of trust can lead to low morale, job dissatisfaction, and reduced productivity.

Research shows that micro-management style is often showcased by insecure, inexperienced, low EQ and big ego, psychopath or narcissist bosses/managers.” - Rukmani M.

Just a heads up, these signs aren't set in stone and may change depending on the micromanager. Micromanagers might have some good traits, like being detailed-oriented and hardworking, but it's still important to know these red flags so that work can be productive and chill.

Coping With Micromanagement

Your job doesn’t end with spotting a micromanager. While figuring out the ways of dealing with your manager, you also need to focus on the side effects of micromanagement.

An unhealthy management style can take a toll on your mental health. Disrespectful behavior from bosses can cause frequent triggers of stress and lead to depression. Your will to work will slowly fade away, and you’ll seem to question your ambitions.

Here are 4 efficient ways to cope with your unhealthy situation at work.

1. Avoid Getting Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a feeling of self-doubt, inadequacy, or a fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of success or competence. This is the most common side effect of micromanagement that employees face. At no cost should you question your competencies and skills while being harshly treated by your manager.

How do you know you suffering from imposter syndrome?

You start asking questions like,

• Am I not good enough?
• Am I not competent enough for this job?
• Do I need to reevaluate my skills?

Self-doubt can be a dangerous disease. Hence, you need to pluck it at the roots. Reassure yourself about your abilities constantly and be confident. You were hired for a reason, and your manager’s insecurities should not hinder your ambitions.

2. Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions.

It’s never a bad idea to ask questions. When your manager has questioned you about a task or a skill, counter them with questions about why they think so. This can be in the form of positive or negative feedback, as we talked about. However, keeping in mind the situation is always a good idea as you don’t want to be stuck in your manager’s crosshairs if he’s having a bad day.

If you’re given vague and unclear instructions, ask them to be concise and clear your doubts in detail. While at it, ensure you’re not coming off as a defendant, as micromanagers tend to get defensive easily.

3. Take Minute-sized Mental Breaks.

Take a step back and glance at the bigger picture. If your manager has given you a minor review that bothers you, evaluate it from a wider angle. Take a one-minute break from the task and a long breath. Get back to it and assess why you’re working on the project and what is the end result.

Does the review or change affect your result? Is it actually helpful, or is it redundant? Prioritize the project instead of a small task.

This will help you gain better insight into your work and avoid all the nicks and nacks of your micromanager. Additionally, it enables you to maintain your sanity while your manager constantly peeks over your shoulder.

4. Have a Life Outside Work.

No, we’re not talking about work-life balance here. This is more about your life becoming ‘all work.’ When you start living in your ‘work world’ all 24 hours of the day, toxicity follows your way through everything.

Having a micromanager at work should not affect your mind after the work hours have ended. If it does, you’re not getting out of work; you’re living in it. Leave your work at the office and do not bring it home. If you’re working from home, shut down all work-related stress while you shut down your laptop.

Hang out with your friends (not work friends) or family after work, practice self-care, or simply play with your pet.

Breaking Free

Imagine you’re working in the job of your dreams but still unhappy because you have a bad manager. Although people do leave their jobs for having bad bosses, this isn’t supposed to be the ideal case.

Out of all the reasons for quitting a job, micromanagement should be your last option. Being aware of efficient ways to deal with a micromanager will enable you to fight the situation rather than run away from it. Start applying the tips above and take back your peace of mind at work.

Additionally, if you have a righteous mental headspace, dealing with a micromanager should be rather an easy job for you. Prioritizing self-care is one of the most important aspects of dealing with work-related stress. Assess your company’s mental health policies. Take mental health leaves or some time off in a periodical manner to avoid losing your sanity.

Ultimately, taking care of your mental health is essential for thriving in any work environment. It's especially crucial when dealing with the added pressure and scrutiny of a micromanager.