Are You Micro-Managing Your Team?

You might think you’re just empowering your team, but could you be actually slipping into micro-management mode?

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Micro-managing means that every detail, every decision, and every step is scrutinized and controlled with an iron grip.

It’s like being the director of a play where you not only dictate the script but also instruct every actor on how to breathe, move, and deliver their lines.

You steal the spotlight from your team members, stifle their creativity, and suffocate their autonomy.

But some leaders or managers don’t even realize that they’ve slipped into the trap of micro-management.

They might think they’re just being hands-on or making sure of the quality. Here are some signs that you might be too controlling.

You can’t stop checking in your team

Of course, it’s important to stay informed about the progress of projects and offer support when needed.

But, excessive checking-in can lead to a lack of autonomy and confidence among team members.

Instead of fostering a sense of accountability, it breeds resentment.

Remember that trusting your team to handle their responsibilities without constant oversight not only empowers them.

It also allows you to focus on higher-level tasks that propel the team and organization forward.

Step back, give your team space to excel, and watch as they rise to the occasion.

There’s always an urge to double-check every detail

If you’re always anxious to double-check every detail, it can signal a deeper issue than just a commitment to quality.

This incessant need for verification often stems from a lack of trust, either in your team’s abilities or in your own initial instructions.

While thoroughness is commendable, constantly scrutinizing every aspect of a project can be counterproductive.

Your team members may feel like their work is never good enough or that you don’t value their expertise.

Instead of focusing on minutiae, try to establish clear expectations upfront and communicate openly with your team.

You’re swooping in to fix the unbroken things

You don’t believe that all of the team members are capable of handling challenges on their own.

So it seems like there's always something that you need to fix on your own.

That might be the best way to undermine the team's confidence and reinforce a culture of dependency.

Avoid being the fixer of all things. Let your team have the space to tackle issues themselves.

Sometimes, the best way to lead is by stepping back and letting others take the reins.

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You struggle to delegate tasks

You think that if you hand over a certain task, it won’t be executed with the precision and attention to detail that you expect.

This belief, while understandable, can become a major roadblock to effective delegation.

It’s natural to want things done a certain way, especially when you have high standards.

But, by hoarding tasks, you’re not only limiting your team’s growth but also hindering your own productivity.

At the end of the day, it’s always better to allow team members develop new skills and take ownership of their work.

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You give endless revisions

You always want things to be so perfect, just like how you imagined it to be.

So, even when the tiniest detail doesn’t meet your expectations, you require a revision. One after another.

What happens next is that the whole team feels like they’re walking on eggshells, afraid to make even the smallest mistake for fear of facing yet another round of revisions.

That’s how you kill their creativity and innovation.

Team members become more focused on avoiding another revision than on exploring new ideas.

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Learn more about becoming a better leader from the book Multipliers by Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown.

Animated book summary by LeadLearnLeap. For more videos like this, visit the LeadLearnLeap YouTube channel.

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