Being micro-managed is a common problem in any company. There is always someone that must micro-manage others. This will trigger a negative day.
As an Administrative Professional with over 27 years’ experience, this is one thing that can easily cause me to become defensive and negative. The reason that I can become negative is I pride myself on helping others and being efficient. When I am micro-managed, I then become defensive as I feel that the person who is micro-managing me does not feel I can do my job.
You must remember that the person that has been put in an Administrative Professional role to manage a top C-Level Executive is in that position as she/he has proven they can book hotels, making flight arrangements, setting up conference calls, taking messages, etc. She or he has had the training and hands-on experience to handle these types of requests.
A positive work environment is so important as it creates the type of atmosphere that people enjoy being part of, as they would rather come into the office on a positive note than a negative note.
Now if you confronted the person about being a micro-manager, they are more than likely going to deny it as they do not see themselves as a micro-manager.
There is a way that you can check on things without coming across as micro-managing. Micromanaging is negative so if you stop for a second and ask yourself how would I want someone to approach me about this subject? If you say positive, then you know that you need to STOP, TAKE A BREATH, and then approach in a positive way.
So, what are some characteristics of a micro-manager:
They resist delegation.
They must oversee others projects even if they are not theirs.
They focus on the small details instead of the looking at the bigger picture.
They look for mistakes before a project is finished.
They discourage others from making decisions until they are informed first.
So, some will say what is wrong with this. Well, you are in fact not empowering those that work for you to spread their wings and learn. You are defeating them before they even get started on a project. You are taking the wind out of their sails.
A good manager or supervisor wants to empower their people. Empowering means supporting them. This is a positive response instead of a negative response.
Here are some tips for you to use to show you don’t need to be micro-managed:
Ask your executive to give you all the details for a project up front.
Take on projects that you are confident in handling.
Communicate progress on the project.
Work on changing those micromanaging habits from your executive and others.
By micro-managing, you put a limitation on your colleagues as well as your Administrative Professional. If you are a micro-manager, just step back and let them get on with the project.
If you are the one being micromanaged, then just take a small breath so that you can effectively stay positive. It is hard I know, but when you are aware how being micromanaged feels you can be a step ahead so that you don’t end up frustrated and negative.
Always remember to STOP AND TAKE A BREATH before you make a decision.
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