askST Jobs: My boss wants to be involved in everything I do. Am I being micromanaged?
Micromanagement can limit autonomy, but employees may be able to regain it by building trust.
In the latest installment of AskST Jobs, business correspondent Timothy Goh tackled a reader's question about being micromanaged at work. Counselling psychologist Padma Jairam explained the difference between a manager who checks in and one who constantly hovers over employees. Signs of micromanagement include excessive updates, needing approval for small decisions, and work being repeatedly rewritten without clear explanation.
Micromanagers often focus more on the process than the outcome, and their behaviour might stem from their own anxieties or past experiences. However, close supervision doesn't always mean a manager doubts an employee's abilities. Instead, it could be anxiety-driven. Employees should try proactive communication, clarify expectations, build trust gradually, and negotiate when necessary.
If micromanagement persists, employees can seek help from HR, mentors, or trusted colleagues. Trust issues can often be resolved by demonstrating consistent performance and reliability. Prolonged micromanagement can be counterproductive, eroding employees' motivation. Ultimately, a good boss provides direction while allowing employees to perform their roles with accountability.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
