Micro Management is necessary when dealing with unskilled workers and young children; but it can become insulting and de-motivating to skilled workers. At first it is extremely helpful to have someone checking on your progress and answering questions. But soon, your management skills will come into question once tasks and procedures are accomplished.

Micro Managers are seldom respected by their employees or upper management, which presents a new set of issues to be overcome. It is as if you are announcing to the world that you are fearful and uneasy with your ability to manage. Micro Managers also feel overworked, because they are devoting so much energy into supervising every move of their employees. It is as if you are in charge of ten energetic toddlers. By the end of the day you are exhausted and feel that you have accomplished very little.

To change, you must do the following:

• Honestly evaluate the skill level of your staff and determine who can be left on their own, with MINOR supervision.
• Apologize to your staff and tell them you are trying to give them more freedom. This can be empowering to your employees.
• Ask skilled workers to assist those with less talent. Again you are recognizing a worker’s accomplishments.
• Take a deep breath and relax. Your job is to encourage rather then question and challenge the competency of your staff. You will soon discover that you are enjoying life again.

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC