The Allure of Micro-Management

I was talking with a company this week that readily admitted “we have a culture of micro-managing”.

They’re not alone.

Why do we have such a tendency to micro-manage, even when we’re aware of it?

For team leaders it’s tempting to micro-manage for many reasons, including:

  1. It makes us feel smart (look I solved your problem!).
  2. We think we are helping.
  3. It’s easier to give directions than to coach.
  4. It gives the illusion of control and security (if I just stay closely involved, nothing bad will happen).
  5. It keeps us busy, which can be a convenient way to avoid other uncomfortable tasks.

If you want to micro-manage less, it helps to improve your question-asking dexterity.

  • Ask questions that give others ownership.
  • Ask more specific, incisive questions.
  • Ask questions that express curiosity and wonder.
  • Ask questions that show your team you trust in their resourcefulness.

To improve your own leadership skills, look for upcoming courses from The Questions Company, or schedule a consultation for 1-on-1 coaching.

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Stephen Mayo

A Seasoned Executive and Consultant, Stephen Mayo is the founder of The Questions Company, bringing an innovative coaching approach to help leaders get their busy workload under control so they have the bandwidth to make even greater contributions.

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