Effective management calls for hiring skilled or coachable employees and then guiding them to produce their best work. When this guidance escalates and becomes overly hands-on, it’s micromanagement. Micromanagement may help a manager feel more in control and confident there will be optimal outcomes, but more often than not, it actually decreases productivity. Learn about the downfalls of micromanagement and how to spot the signs that you may be micromanaging:

Wastes Time

Every moment you devote to doing lower-level work or constantly checking up with employees is time that could be better utilized. Micromanaging could make you miss out on revenue generation or other activities that get your company closer to achieving its objectives.

Takes Away Autonomy

Employees who have the freedom to determine their own processes and be held accountable for the results tend to end up being more engaged in the outcome of their work. Micromanaging can cause engagement and motivation to decline, along with performance, because employees are following orders, rather than feeling like a part of things.

Reduces Trust

Micromanaging signals to your employees that you don’t trust their skills or judgment. Eventually, they may start to question their relationship with you and their job satisfaction. Top talent especially is more likely to feel stifled under a micromanager and may leave your organization for a place that seems to trust and value their contributions more.

Signs of Micromanagement:

Need for Constant Updates

If you need to check in with your employees at every step of the process, that’s a sign of too much involvement. Instead, whenever you assign a task, communicate when you would like regular status updates and stick to it.

Excessive Concern About Processes

Telling your employees the exact way to accomplish necessary results or correcting them if they do it differently than you would – even if it has the same outcome – is an indicator of micromanagement. Rather than being concerned about precisely how they approach tasks, focus on ensuring the outcome is what you want.

Missed Deadlines

Insisting on being involved on every part of your employees’ responsibilities, in addition to dealing with your own responsibilities, often causes their work to be held up until you can get to it. If your team is missing deadlines or the estimated completion dates for projects are regularly extended, strive to prioritize your involvement and determine where you can step back.

Chronic micromanagement may be a sign that you’re understaffed or don’t have employees with the skills you need. Find top candidates by working with Texas staffing firm Professional Alternatives for your hiring needs. Since 1998, we have been serving Houston employers by locating candidates that meet the unique skills and qualifications necessary for a successful fit. Contact us today to learn more about our employer services.