As part of my leadership coaching, I often ask people this question: What kind of leader do you most like to work for? This can be a helpful way to get people to understand their own style, their own needs and preferences.
I’ve asked the question many times and to many people, and I’ve received a multitude of answers. There’s one answer I’ve never received, though. I’ve never heard anyone say they wanted to work for a micromanager.
That’s because, well, nobody likes micromanagers. That kind of leadership style can have a corrosive impact on trust and positivity in your company culture. And yet, micromanagers do exist. In fact, it’s not impossible that you’re one of them.
The Signs of a Micromanager
How can you tell? Let me run through some quintessential traits of micromanagers, and you can decide for yourself how many of these fit your leadership style. If indeed you are a micromanager, it may be time to do some soul-searching, or even to invest in an executive coach to help you modify your leadership approach.
Some of the signs you might be a micromanager include:
- You obsess over control. You constantly need to know what everyone on your team is doing. You insist that everything be done your way, and you routinely call back work that doesn’t meet your…
