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Brain Circuits
5 ways to kick the habit of micromanaging
Some leaders are prone to micromanaging, but a perfectionist approach can cause problems for yourself and your direct reports. Answer the following questions to check whether you’re micromanaging, and read on for tips on curbing the tendency.
Questions to ask yourself
- Do you believe that only you can do things ‘the right way’?
- Do you struggle to accept the work of your team members?
- Do you tend to ‘let people off the hook’ and redo their work for them?
- Are you becoming exhausted from work overload?
- Are you experiencing feelings of isolation in your professional life?
How to stop micromanaging and empower your teams
Ultimately, professional coaching is the surest way to learn how to let go and allow other people to step up to their responsibilities. Here are some actions you can practice for yourself to help:
1. Divide and conquer
Divide your challenges into two camps: internal and external, and prioritize activities that nourish your internal needs, such as exercising regularly and spending time with family and friends.
2. Embrace self-care
Create a self-care calendar and stick to a “me” regime, no matter how tempting it is to forego personal time for business needs.
3. Work on your relationships
Intentionally develop deeper relationships with an inner circle of confidants at work. Identify individuals you know will be able to assist in mobilizing team members to raise their game and perform at the level you need.
4. Accept help
Are there colleagues who have offered you support in the past, but you haven’t let them help? Watch for your knee-jerk reactions and purposefully allow trusted colleagues to take on more responsibility.
5. Remember the bigger picture
Focus on the bigger picture and your part in realizing the organization’s strategy and vision.
Key learning
Letting go of the tendency to micromanage will not only make you a more effective and productive leader; it will free others to recognize and use their power.
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