3 Tips On Dealing With A Micromanaging Boss

There can be nothing more annoying than dealing with a micromanaging boss. Your boss can greatly influence your experience at an organization and even your career! Today, let’s talk about 3 handy tips on dealing with a micromanaging boss…

I have a very interesting observation to share with you! It’s amazing that out of roughly 100 people (in my career of 14 years) I spoke to who were interested in leaving their jobs or had already left their jobs, roughly 70% of them said the main reason why they wanted to leave or did leave their jobs, was because of a difficult boss. 

Psychologically bosses tend to micromanage for two reasons—either they have huge trouble trusting, or they have a lot of internal anxiety and need to control situations and people to feel better – or both! 

An important fact here is, that micromanaging may be more about the boss, and less about you. And so, it helps to stop taking it personally or getting angry. 

Here are three ways you could handle a micromanaging boss:

#1. Here is the thumb rule – The lesser the anxiety that this boss feels, the lesser he/she will compulsively micromanage. And one way of reducing the anxiety is by constantly communicating, and giving them the information they need before he/she even asks for it. Provide updates (they LOVE IT), communicate more, often, and in detail. If you don’t, it will only lead to greater micromanagement. 

#2. Maintain your balance. Don’t take it personally. Don’t get uptight or rigid. Don’t get critical or triggered (I know it can be hard). Ask the boss for a bit more autonomy. Remind them of tasks you’ve successfully completed on your own. And, to ease them into this, try “How about I work on this project for a week? After that I’ll offer a full debrief of where everything stands in the format you prefer on Thursday at 3 PM. Can we try that?”. Don’t get put off they fail to give you space. They are anxious and insecure. Hence, try again. 

#3. Build trust by delivering on your commitments. Dont overcommit and underdeliver. That’s a death knell. Stay in integrity. Be confident. Be assertive. And be compassionate. Trust me, they need it. 

In the end, remember what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger! This experience can make you wiser and more emotionally intelligent. And it’s well worth it in the long run, isn’t it? 

Do share if you have any ideas on how to deal with a micromanaging boss!

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