Understanding Micromanagement: Definition, Effects, and Ways to Minimize

Control and involvement are essential to maintain an effective and cohesive workforce. However, as with anything in life, too much supervision can be harmful and lead to adverse consequences such as persistent micromanagement. If you are starting a business or seeing signs of micromanagement in your workplace, this article is worth reading. Here, we share a comprehensive guide on micromanaging basics, from its definition and effects to how you can minimize it in your workplace. 

What Is Micromanagement?

Micromanagement is a management style in which an executive or manager closely oversees and controls employees' work. While in certain situations, such as training new hires, micromanagement may be advantageous, in general, it can bring more harm than good. This is especially true for workplaces where micromanagement has been in practice for a prolonged period. 

There are various factors why managers micromanage. These include the need for control, insecurities, fear, and even personal problems. To determine whether a business leader is managing employees more than necessary, here are some signs to observe. 

Signs of Micromanagement 

1. No delegation of tasks 
2. No decision-making power for subordinates or employees
3. Too much information-gathering  
4. Close monitoring of every action of employees
5. Frequent criticisms and lack of appreciation 
6. Too much involvement in work processes 
7. Taking on more work than they can handle, believing that they can accomplish it better
8. Constantly asking for updates 
9. Paying attention to unimportant details 
10. Doesn’t share skills or knowledge

Effects of Micromanagement

Micromanagement does not always lead to negative consequences. As mentioned, micromanagement can be beneficial in certain cases, such as training new hires, improving the performance of underperforming employees, and controlling high-risk issues. However, when micromanagement becomes excessive and counterproductive, hindering the creativity of employees, problems can arise sooner than later. 

Keep reading as we list and discuss the negative effects of micromanagement in more detail below. 

1. Loss of Employee Trust

Despite trust being known as a strong foundation for an effective workforce, many workplaces still fall short in fostering and maintaining it. In case you missed it, a recent report highlights that only 21% of U.S. employees trust the leadership of their organization. Another report from Forbes shares the same sentiment, highlighting that 63% of employees don't trust their leader. 

If you are trying to gain the trust of your employees, micromanagement is clearly not the best way to achieve it. In a report by Inc., four signs of micromanagement were identified as behaviors that discourage trust and respect in employers. These behaviors include one-way communication, ego-driven leadership, refusing to delegate or empower, and an attitude of superiority or lack of appreciation.  

2. Low Employee Morale and Productivity

Many business leaders tend to micromanage to boost their employees’ performance; however, the opposite proves to be true, as documented in a survey by Accountemps. Out of the respondents in the said survey, the majority (59%)  declared having worked for a micromanager at some point in their careers. Among those who felt micromanaged, 68% said it decreased their morale, and 55% said it hurt their productivity. 

3. High Staff Turnover 

Micromanagement can impact staff turnover more than you think. As a study notes, “the negative impacts of micromanagement are so intense that it is labeled among the top three reasons employees resign.” When employees are constantly criticized and controlled, the work environment becomes toxic. This naturally leads to increased stress and burnout and, eventually, employees leaving. 

4. Loss of Workplace Connection

Achieving and maintaining workplace connections is not a cakewalk, especially when employees are being micromanaged. In a workplace with a micromanagement culture, employees can become easily dissatisfied with their roles and organizational structure. This can also cause them to lose confidence and interest in work and distance themselves from their coworkers. 

5. Limited Innovation and Growth

Employees who are constantly scrutinized may feel discouraged from taking creative risks or developing new ideas. They may also become overly reliant on their managers for direction, which can suppress their ability to think critically and solve problems on their own. As a result, innovation may become stagnant, and the company may miss out on valuable opportunities for growth and development. 

How to Minimize Micromanagement in the Workplace

Workplaces are different, and so are management styles. However, one thing remains constant, and that is persistent micromanagement is not the best approach for thriving businesses. As Forbes notes, “Micromanaging is one of the most damaging habits an executive can have.”

To help you minimize micromanagement in your workplace, here are some pieces of advice you can adopt. 

Trust Employees and Give Them Autonomy to Fulfill Their Roles 

A way to combat micromanagement in a workplace is trusting workers and giving them autonomy with their tasks. This doesn’t just stop micromanaging culture but can also help employees' well-being. According to Business News Daily, workers who feel they are free to make choices in the workplace and take responsibility for them are happier. They are also more productive than employees who are more restricted. 

Set Metrics and Deadlines 

When you set clear metrics and deadlines for projects, you provide employees with a clear picture of the results you expect from them. This enables them to manage their time effectively and develop a sense of independence and responsibility. Additionally, project metrics and deadlines allow you to track an employee’s work progress without having to monitor their actions closely. 

Avoid Over-Criticizing Every Aspect of a Worker’s Performance 

Instead of questioning every detail of a worker’s performance or task, highlighting only specific parts can help employees understand and identify which areas require attention more easily. This also allows them to work on improving their performance without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Along with minimizing criticisms, it also pays to recognize and praise employees for their achievements in order to facilitate a positive and supportive work culture. 

Provide Professional Growth Opportunities

Giving employees the opportunity to hone their knowledge and skills and take on more responsibilities can be key to a more effective workforce. Professional growth programs can empower and motivate employees to learn and advance in their careers. Through these opportunities, you can also show your employees that you trust them and value their contributions to the workforce. More importantly, the chance for professional development can boost employees’ job satisfaction and help develop a stronger sense of loyalty to the company.

Adjust Management Styles According to Trends 

Trends should not only be considered in making business decisions but also in managing employees. As a business leader, it is essential to keep up with the latest workplace trends and best practices. By doing so, you can identify areas where you may be over-managing or not providing enough guidance. You can then make adjustments to your management approach to meet the needs of your team better and the organization as a whole. 

Here’s a Tool to Help Minimize Micromanagement

At this point, it’s safe to say that micromanagement can take a toll on your company. Hence, it is crucial to address and minimize it as soon as possible. One way to achieve this is through the use of technologically advanced tools like StaffConnect. 

StaffConnect is a business management software engineered to assist executives or managers in supervising staff and tasks without close monitoring. It allows you to track work progress and delegate tasks easily through efficient communication features and send automatic updates and reminders with just a few clicks. It also enables you to check on employee location via the GPS Check-In and Out and schedule tasks more conveniently through the calendar integration functionality. StaffConnect provides a variety of other useful resources, such as a searchable centralized database, a communications hub, payroll, a survey builder, and more. 

If you are ready to learn more about StaffConnect’s automation and streamlining features, feel free to book your demo here and get the chance to experience our app without any cost.