Do You Micromanage?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been accused of micromanaging on an occasion or two.
You think you’re just being helpful. You just want them to get it “right”…as in doing it your way.
Working with adults, this approach works eight out of 10 times. Other times it’s a disaster.
Oh, the Joy of Kids!
Dealing with kids, you learn (through banging your head against a brick wall enough times) that just telling them what to do and expecting them to do it isn’t always the best approach.
Think tantrum’s, smashing things, just ignoring you, talking back, or doing the opposite just to test you.
Training Days
Today I went fishing with my Dad, brother and son.
It was my son’s second time fishing ever. So you could say he’s like your baby-faced new recruit with lots of energy and little experience.
My brother baited up the line and casted it out.
When a fish bit, he set the hook and then handed the pole to my son to reel in.
My son eagerly reeled it in and landed the fish.
Step Back for Better Results
What happened next was more interesting.
After watching several fish being caught, my brother and I were chatting briefly.
During our conversation we heard my son say, “I’ve got a fish!”
We turned and see him setting the hook and cranking the reel’s handle like a pro.
…I never showed him how to set the hook.
…I never told him to reel in the fish.
He just did it.
How Do You Manage?
Now think about the people you manage.
Isn’t it great when they just get the picture and figure it out from your brief instructions?
Don’t you like it when they take initiative to get things done without your prompting?
Wouldn’t it be great if all your direct reports were as full of initiative and creativity?
It CAN be that way.
Sometimes it just requires you to step back and give them some space to figure it out on their own.
Sometimes giving them the big picture and walking away, instead of micromanaging, will get better results.
Hire the Best and Get Out of the Way
That’s why you hire good people with initiative and potential.
Don’t squash it before it can bloom.
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Well said. It worked for me and my department was one of the most respected for the quality of my employees. They often came up with ideas that only those who work with it day after day can visualize. It is sometimes difficult to just sit back and let it happen.
ReplyDeleteScott