Skip to main content

How to Demoralise Your Team 1 – Micromanage

15
Aug 2011

I thought I would include 4 short blogs on how to demoralise your team. Often it is helpful to point out the toxic things we do, in order to focus on what we should be doing instead.

So your Doctor asks “you Micromanage?”
He has that resigned look and questions, “how long have you been suffering from this obsession?”
Your explanation pours forth: you only do it because the team you have aren’t good enough; you are just trying to help them; that it is quicker than teaching them to do it independently and that you get the perfect outcomes exactly the way you want it.

Further probing brings out confessions; micromanaging gives you a kick; the control you have over others is addictive; other managers do and did it to you. You want the next generation to suffer like you did!

On reflection the Doctor prescribes a short course of; trusting others, giving clear instructions with outcomes; asking your team what they think and how would they solve problems and using a coach approach to leadership.

Now that feels better already and certainly you’re not toxically contagious any more.

Have a great week. Go out and catch someone doing something RIGHT.

Warm regards Jonathan

Other Articles

You need courageous employees not more rules and regulations to tackle corruption

February 07, 2013
Many Thanks to Peter Neville Lewis and his South African colleague, Wendy Addison, Founder of  Speak  Out – Speak Up  for the powerful words below.  I have reproduced this from his wonderful …

The Public Sector isn’t working

January 05, 2011
  A friend of mine worked in 2010 in a management role within a Government department. After 3 months he had achieved all his objectives and tasks for the following 12 months. He had exceeded all h…

“Death by meeting” – by Patrick Lencioni – definitely worth a read .. here is why

February 07, 2010
A very simple fable to read it will probably take you no more than 4 hours. Key themes: Plan and prepare before your meetings daily five-minute huddles weekly tacticals monthly strategics quarterly…