ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > December > 04 > Entry
Micromanager driving you nuts?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you feel that your boss is holding you back instead of trying to develop your skills? Is he or she constantly buzzing around your cube suffocating you every day?
One of the biggest challenges we face at work is having a micromanager. Not only is this annoying but it can be highly stressful too. This Sunday’s Jobs section has a highly insightful story which offers several ways to deal with your micromanager.
A few year ago, I had a terribly controlling micromanager and it made my life a living hell. He was always overly cheerful and could never say no to work requests or projects from higher-ups’ and would then dump the workload on me! I just couldn’t take any more bossy behavior after a year and a half and went into full-blown job search mode.
Does your boss like to be involved in every step of each of your projects? Does he or she always need a memo about the memo?
Have you ever come to blows with your boss over their unreasonable demands? How are you coping with them breathing down your neck all the time?
Are you going to continue to suffer at the hands of your micromanager or do you have one foot out of the door?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Chris
December 4, 2006 9:12 AM | Link to this
I just quit the instant I had another job lined up because of a micromanager! About 8 months ago, I was moved into a position that I didn’t really want but decided to go with a flow. I was even excited to be joining a new team with new management. Little did I know, that my new boss was Hitler! He was a complete time-nazi and was constantly dropping huge piles of work on us. He would even find the smallest things to write us up about! I am so glad I am out of there!
By Keith Lynch
December 4, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Dear Readers, I have received thousands of letters and e-mails from people all over the Atlanta, Georgia region. For months I have been posting the publishing, company Web site www.kllundypublishingllc.com on blog. The site contains the injustice that has befallen my family and me at the hands of law enforcement and public officials in Dekalb County, Georgia. Many Georgia citizens wish that I return to Georgia for a book signing, interviews, and speaking engagements concern my book, “Dirty Justice-Who Killed Mommy.” I have contacted the Publisher and was advised that I would be returning too Georgia when security can be provided for my safety at several locations. My book gives details and names of detectives and other officials who are responsible for crimes committed against my family and me. I had received death threats in the past stating that if I were to return to Georgia I would be killed.
By anon
December 4, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
This is so timely. Try working for a place where the higher-ups micromanage the employees every day! They do not allow you to use your experience and skills; you cannot do the job effectively which you were hired to do. They are the “experts” at EVERYTHING…yeah right!
By LuckyOne
December 4, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
I, fortunately, have a Manager who is the antithesis of a micromanager. I’m usually given a list of requests/tasks and left to my own devices to get things done in a timely, efficient manner. Keep in mind that it took some trust building and proving (on my part) that I was capable of this, but it all worked out quite nicely.
I can’t say the same for others that I work with, however. I see them struggle whilst working with a Manager who, in order to cover up their own glaring inadequacy, cannot leave them be to do what they are here to do. Every step is scrutinized and evaluated totally destroying whatever morale exists. Then come the write-ups. If they disagree - one little bit - they are chastised and written up. I just want to turn to the Manager and say “Hope you’ll be able to carry the torch once you drive them all off!”. Realizing that this would be completely out of line, I keep my comment to myself!
I realize there are individuals who require micromanagement but also realize that there are those who are dedicated and responsible adults. Who should we blame when we see a situation like this? The micromanager or the person who actually put that micromanager with a team that does not require the constant scrutiny?
Thank you for posting this blog and allowing me to vent!
By danny
December 4, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
Hey Keith…DON’T come back to Georgia. If the local law enforcement community doesn’t get to you…those of us who’ve had to suffer through your STUPID posts will!
By Trae
December 4, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
What a timely article! I too work for a micromanager. He’s incredibly intelligent, just not management material. He prefers to communicate via email, often one or two sentences asking questions he already knows the answers to.
What’s worse, is that he actually believes that I am not smart enough to notice what he’s doing. It’s degrading, disrespectful and makes my job much harder when I am constantly called upon to defend my projects with a dissertation about how I came to the conclusion. All I want to do is come in, do my job and leave.
It’s to the point now, where I’ve been to his boss, then to the HR department because the behavior is borderline harrassment. It’s insane. I have one foot out the door. After the first of the year, I’m outta here if I can find something better.