Micromanaging bosses make for a challenging work environment, since we all value our autonomy and micromanaging makes us feel not trusted and undervalued. It can be helpful to put aside emotion and find a strategy that improves your working relationship and is a win-win for you and for your boss.
Why is your boss micromanaging you?
Harvard Business Review recommends beginning by understanding your boss’ motivation. Is he or she insecure, do they have different methods that don’t match yours or are you perhaps not living up to your potential? If you’re working remotely or hybrid, as has become popular in Israel since Covid, does your boss feel a loss of control? Once you understand what is motivating the micromanaging, it’s easier to have a conversation with your boss about how to work better together.
Choose a time when your boss is likely to be in a good mood. Bring examples of things that happened that got in the way of efficiency, but don’t use the word “micromanage” so as not to put your boss on the defensive. Be prepared for feedback that sounds critical and come to the meeting with an open mind about making changes on your end too.
Although it’s tempting to go above your boss’ head and complain to their manager, nothing good will come of this. Israelis believe in army-like hierarchy and will not appreciate this move. In a situation where you are not able to effect change in any other way, a better choice is to discuss this with HR as opposed to going up the chain of command.
Keeping your boss in the loop
Micromanaging bosses need to be kept informed on your plans and your progress so that they can rest easy. Ask your boss what the best way to do that is. Suggest using a task management system to keep track of everything that needs to be done, deadlines and the progress of each project. If your boss can log in to one page and see exactly what you have done and when you expect to get to the rest, that alleviates the need to send multiple emails or WhatsApps asking what’s going on with your tasks.
When a task is long, one deadline isn’t sufficient. Your boss can’t envision you finishing it on time unless he sees that you are actively working on it. Break down the tasks into smaller tasks and give each one a deadline. Then update when you have finished each one and moved on to the next stage.
You can even make it easier for your boss by sending a progress report at the end of every workday. See if your task management software can create this for you, so all it takes is shooting off an email before leaving the office. When you pre-empt your boss’ micromanaging tendencies, you feel more in control and avoid unpleasant interactions.
When it’s time to move on
Hopefully, once your boss sees that you consistently turn work in on time and do the job well, the micromanaging should abate somewhat. But if there’s no change or the micromanaging is a form of undermining or taking credit for your work, it might be time to move on. You could ask to work under a different boss, if that option exists in your company. Otherwise, start looking for a new job, one that makes you happy to get up in the morning and go to work.