Micro-management

Micro-management is a management style characterized by excessive control and oversight by a manager, focusing on minor details of an employee's work. It involves constant monitoring, frequent interruptions, and a reluctance to delegate tasks, or empower employees to make their own decisions. The micro-manager often dictates the methods and processes to be followed, leaving little room for employee autonomy or creativity. This approach can erode employee morale, stifle innovation, and lead to reduced productivity and job satisfaction due to a lack of trust and feeling of being controlled. Effective micro-management may also stem from anxiety in a leader, a desire for perfection, or a belief that their way is the only correct way.

Micro-management meaning with examples

• The new project lead's micro-management style was quickly causing resentment. She constantly checked in on every step, questioned every decision, and even dictated the color of the fonts. The team, once vibrant, became demoralized. Their creativity diminished, and the project's progress slowed, resulting in decreased efficiency and the team’s overall productivity and satisfaction being impacted.
• Sarah's previous boss's micro-management was suffocating. Every email had to be copied to him, and every task had to be pre-approved. She felt constantly watched and unable to learn or grow professionally, eventually leading her to actively seek a new role, impacting the team's cohesiveness as well.
• The company's implementation of strict, micro-management procedures, including time tracking for bathroom breaks and the constant monitoring of online activity, created a negative atmosphere and fostered mistrust. Employees felt like children, their autonomy suppressed, leading to high turnover rates and hindering company growth.
• Despite their good intentions, their micro-management of the remote team, including mandatory daily check-ins and strict schedules, backfired. Remote workers felt their flexibility stifled. The lack of trust and perceived pressure led to decreased output and decreased morale, making it challenging for the business to grow and progress.
• During the critical product launch, the CEO's micro-management of every aspect, from marketing copy to packaging design, nearly derailed the project. His constant interference and revisions caused delays, confusion, and ultimately, a less effective launch than anticipated, causing financial impact to the organization.