Micromanaging can be a hard habit to break. We often talk about its effect on employees, but what if you are the one that has a habit of micromanaging? Read our tips below to help you and your teams flourish?
Tip 1: Stop constant check ins – people you’ve hired are there for a reason. Trust their abilities, give them room to grow and prove themselves. Allow them to show off their expertise. It will benefit both sides: you’ll see what they’re capable of allowing you to trust them even more. They will feel like they actually ‘own’ an area of their expertise and that what they say is important. Everyone works better and happier that way.
Tip 2: Communicate – open up the channel of trusting, regular communication. Become open to feedback, both good and less positive. Give feedback, particularly the positive stuff. Run effective and purposeful team meetings, don’t cancel or postpone 1:1 catch ups unless you really can’t help it, be curious about how they’re doing without telling them what to do. Become their mentor and a coach, not a nagging helicopter parent.
Tip 3: Delegate – 2 words: let go. Share your responsibilities, value people’s expertise and personality. Delegate by letting your employees get their teeth into a task or a new project or by learning ‘as they go’ not just by watching you in action. As much as it can be uncomfortable, try to stay back and observe, without judgement or obsessive check-ins. You can then chat about the progress & results at your planned meet up. If it helps, repeat something like “I trust they will do a great job” or “I hired them for a reason” a few times a day or writing it down as your desktop saver. This may help you shifting your mindset.
Tip 4: Empower – showing your team that you trust their abilities and expertise empowers them. Value what they have to say and the work they deliver. Trust them, empower them to make decisions. This will make them feel they can tackle more challenges and take more off your hands.
Have you tried any of these? What do you think? Have they helped you tackle the micromanaging habit?
