10 Signs You’re Micromanaging Your Business

Running a business can be exhilarating, but it also comes with challenges − one of which is finding the balance between being involved and micromanaging. The term ‘micromanagers’ is often used to refer to perfectionist bosses who excessively control and monitor every aspect of an employee’s work. Supervising an employee or providing guidance on a project is good; however, when done excessively, it is detrimental to both parties. 

While staying engaged in your business is vital, it can quickly turn counterproductive when you’re too hands-on. Micromanaging drains your energy, limits your team’s creativity, and ultimately, stifles your business growth. 

As a business owner, here are some indicators that show you are micromanaging your business: 

• Involvement in Minor Decisions: If you find yourself overseeing every detail within your business, despite having someone in charge, you are micromanaging your team. From choosing fonts for marketing materials to overseeing daily schedules, getting overly involved in minor things shows a lack of trust. This makes your team dependent on you to make every decision. To avoid this, empower your team to make autonomous decisions without overseeing them. 

• Requesting Frequent Updates: There are times when a project may require constant status updates, but when this becomes a habit or becomes excessive, it can affect performance and productivity. Constantly monitoring a project is an indication of micromanagement. However, rather than being intrusive, trust your team to work independently and ask for detailed reports on projects, where necessary. 

• Little or No Tasks Delegation: Delegation is one of the secrets to increasing productivity and efficiency. If you find yourself very comfortable handling every task, it’s a sign of micromanagement. Delegate tasks to your team based on their strengths. You can provide guidance when necessary but avoid being too involved. 

• Lack of Individual Trust: Lack of trust in a person’s ability can make you constantly question their decisions and this can result in micromanagement. A lack of trust can hamper growth within a team. 
• More Execution Than Strategy: When you struggle to let go of tasks due to fear of imperfections or mistakes, that’s a sign of micromanagement. You may need to step back and let go of things and focus on what truly matters – growing your business.  

• Lack of Team Drive: When your employees or team members always feel scrutinised or frustrated, it affects their productivity. Micromanaging demoralises a team. 

• Overemphasising Minor Errors: Neglecting major achievements and overemphasising minor errors is an indicator of micromanagement. Never downplay your team’s achievements. Celebrate their success even while correcting their errors and mistakes. 

•  Rarely Approving Ideas: When your approach seems to always be the best without giving room or considering others’ suggestions, you might be falling into the trap of micromanaging. No one is an island of knowledge; always be open to feedback, contributions, and suggestions. When you solely make the decisions without empowering your team to do the same, it limits and discourages innovation.
• Rewriting or Redoing Everyone’s Task: The feeling of dissatisfaction you always get after everyone in the team submits their tasks is a sign of mismanagement. However, spending time rewriting or redoing tasks could be a sign that you’re not letting go of control.
• Losing Focus on Long-Term Goals: Micromanaging can pull you into daily details and away from the long-term vision of your business. If you’re more caught up in today’s issues than tomorrow’s growth, it’s time to step back.

In conclusion, all these signs are indicators of micromanagement with a team, and recognising it early can help you avoid falling into this trap. Micromanaging has no positive effect on growth, it is best to trust your team and delegate where necessary.

Struggling to let go of tasks? Sisi Manager is here to help. With our team of experts in administration, project management, customer service support, and more, we help you step back from micromanagement and optimise your business game. Contact us today.