Constantly checking in with employees about their day-to-day work. Questioning every detail. Looking over their shoulders.
If you feel you must make every decision for your staff members, you might be a micromanager. And although you may have the best intentions – after all, you are only trying to help, right? – the consequences of this may backfire.
An Accountemps survey released July 3 revealed that most employees – 65% – believe they have worked for a micromanager. They report that this makes them feel that they have no independence and it has had a negative impact on their work.
Of all respondents who said they have been micromanaged, 87% said it has decreased their morale, and 76% believe it has lowered their productivity.
“Bosses often have the best of intentions when taking a hands-on approach to managing, but by micromanaging, what they're really doing is hurting the employee morale and job satisfaction,” said Dianne Hunnam-Jones, Canadian district president of Accountemps.
“In the long-term, the positive impact of trusting your team far outweighs the intended benefit of being personally involved in every minor detail to avoid simple mistakes.”
There are ways to break the habit of constantly trying to manage every one of your employees’ tasks, according to the study.
Instead of constantly checking in on routine work, provide clear guidelines at the beginning and then trust them to do their work.
As well, giving staff the freedom to make some of their own decisions will empower them, which will lead to better problem-solving and leadership.
