Rein in the micromanager

Q: I am the director of a large project-

management group. My manager's boss, "Ellen," frequently redirects my employees' activities without talking to me about it. She just tells them to disregard my assignments and start working on hers.

Recently, Ellen asked a member of my staff to manage a major initiative, even though she knew that I already had chosen someone else for that role. Not once had she mentioned having any problem with the person I selected.

Every year, my boss and Ellen approve my annual plan and say they support my goals. Then Ellen switches everything around, making it impossible to get my goals accomplished.

My manager is weak when it comes to addressing issues like this, so he has done nothing about the situation. Any suggestions for dealing with Ellen, or should I just find another job?

A: Give your wimpy boss one more chance to help you solve this problem. Ask him to request a meeting with Ellen so that all three of you can discuss staffing for your projects. If he seems reluctant, request permission to talk with Ellen by yourself.

In the meeting, avoid criticizing Ellen's management style. Direct confrontations with senior micromanagers are seldom productive and may lead to career suicide. So resist the temptation to inform her that she's screwing up your department.

Instead, focus on resolving business issues. For example: "I've discovered that two of my employees have been told they are leading the XYZ project. This is creating confusion and wasting resources, so I think we should agree on one leader."

Then propose a strategy to avert similar problems in the future: "Since I know you want to have input into project assignments, I'd like to schedule a weekly meeting to discuss them. That way, we can avoid confusing the staff with conflicting directions or duplicate tasks."

Of course, this approach is not guaranteed to work. If Ellen continues to ignore you and meddle with your employees, you have a choice to make: Either accept a life of continuous chaos or find a workplace with more professional management.

Q: I joined a small company last year as a temporary employee. Because I wanted a permanent position, I went above and beyond the call of duty to impress everyone. Without being asked, I waxed the floor, vacuumed and fetched coffee.

They did hire me permanently, but now I'm stuck with these menial tasks. Even if I'm in the middle of a project, I have to stop my work and get coffee whenever my co-worker bellows for it. This feels demeaning. Am I forever burdened with these chores?

A: First, meet with your manager to agree on the duties of your position. Then ask that your co-workers be told how your permanent role differs from your previous temp work.

If the menial tasks are not part of your job description, stop doing them. When your caffeine-deprived co-worker hollers for coffee, smile and say, "Sorry, but I'm really busy right now." Once you stop fetching, he or she eventually will stop bellowing.

- Marie G. McIntyre is an Atlanta-based workplace coach. Her weekly column is syndicated by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. Send questions at www.yourofficecoach.com.