Managing, Micro Style

Micro-managers don’t come any cuter than this!  Yes, he’s my grandbaby 🙂

They can, however, grow up and become micro-managers in macro bodies.

For anyone desiring to lead with their life, I would propose that lessons in micro-managing may well be part of the learning curve one has to undergo.

As always, a scenario helps. Let me share a story (which, unfortunately, was nearly the straw that broke the camel’s back once upon a time).

It was an employment setting – which is one of the best places I know to learn and practice leading with your life. By the time of its occurrence, I had worked for this employer, assisting the executive, well over six years. Long enough that we had been through the early days of micro-managing, learned each other’s style, and subsequently cranked out copious amounts of work as a team that had found its rhythm.

Then one day the micro-manager re-appeared. There were reasons, which I’ll get to momentarily, but for one who had developed a self-starter and attention to detail reputation, it was most unwelcome.

As with most micro-managing situations, it’s the little things. That’s why they call it ‘micro’ managing. Through a series of decisions on the manager’s part (who happened to also be the owner), the firm was going through a merger. As promises of ‘no changes’ were eventually refuted by layoffs, It was like experiencing a slow death as my position was reduced from what it had been to stuffing envelopes.

Enter the camel and that bale of hay.

My one good nerve nearly snapped (which it did, at home…my poor husband) the day the micro-manager stood in front of my desk as I mechanically stuffed a zillion envelopes. Did I remember to include…? Don’t forget… Are you putting them in the right direction? I had a wonderful window in my office on the fourth floor. I fought the urge to jump out of it.

That was many years ago now, but it obviously made an impression as the memory stuck with me. While considering how to lead with one’s life, some of the best lessons I’ve learned are what not to do if I don’t want to be guilty of leading others in the same manner. It takes practice, forgiveness and grace.

***

As a lifelong learner in this regard, I’ve arrived at some thoughtful conclusions, including the fact that I have utilized micro-managing techniques as well as being a recipient of them. I’ve had to work through on why that is – part of my own learning how to live life forward so I can effectively help others do the same. Some of those conclusions follow …

• Micro-managers find it hard to trust.
• Micro-managers see and fret about your mistakes, even though you get the job done.
• Micro-managers would do it differently.
• Micro-managers tend to believe there is only one way. Theirs.
• Micro-managers forget that the best learning often comes by doing.
• Micro-managers don’t realize that being a helicopter boss (or parent, or spouse, or friend, or…) is not all that helpful or inspiring.
• Micro-managers are painfully aware that Rome wasn’t built in a day. But so are the bricklayers who have the job down pretty good.
• Micro-managers struggle with wanting to achieve perfection and knowing when to call it good.
• Micro-managers often have good hearts and over-active nervous systems!

Perhaps you can identify with some or even all of these bullet points. It’s possible that you too have experienced both sides of the micro-managing equation: being micro-managed and being the micro-manager.

What would you like to change?

Your observation or micro-managing story is welcome, as always, in the comment section below.

Or, contact me for some helpful and healing conversation around leading with your life in more beneficial ways than being micro in a macro body. Unless you’re eight months old 🙂

~ Nancy