Hello! Hello! Hello!
And we are back with another blog in our Gen Z in the workplace series. This series aims to be a mix of safe space and go-to guide for the workplaces and Gen Z alike to clear the air on the ‘what-to, how-to, when-to’ with respect to professional communication and navigating work culture.
So you turn up to work all demure, very mindful, super considerate, only to experience your boss breathing down your neck with their constant : how is the project coming along?
Does this happen so often that when you are watching House of the Dragon you find yourself envying Daemon Targaryen and how chill his boss Rahenyra is. She sends him away on a mission to rally the riverlords and make allies. How does he plan to achieve this - how long it will take, who are the ones he would approach first, are the things that Rhaenyra just does not concern herself with. She laid out the goal, and thanks to lack of whatsapp, slack, instagram messaging, messenger, zoom, skype, or what have you, did not keep checking on him every four hours - have you conquered Harrenhal yet? What did the Tullys say? Were you able to meet someone from the Blackwood family? To cut a long story short, Daemon has full creative freedom on how he could get the Riverlords to support Team Rhaenyra without having to keep sharing minute by minute updates with her.
And I can understand why this ‘have-a-free-reign-but-get-the-job-done’ managerial approach seems so enviable, because not all of us have such cool managers.And that is objectively unfun.
I understand.
100%.
And that is why I am here to help.
So the thing is - micromanagers are insecure. They’re actually worried far more about their own reputation than what you’re doing.They struggle to trust.They need to have control.
But don’t go around telling them that. File this information under the ‘For your eyes/comprehension only’ category.
First good news is that now you know why they are behaving the way they are behaving.
Second good news is knowing that they need reassurance.
Here is what you can ask them -
By immediately showing an interest in their standards, you beat them at their own game. Indicate that you want to go above and beyond early on, and they’ll instantly back off.
You could check-in with :
If you check in with them before they check in on you then they’ll start to realise that you’re in control, so they don’t have to be!
You can proactively share updates before they check in! While it might be tempting to present them with an almost finished draft of what you have been working on, when dealing with micromanagers ‘share as it develops’ will be a better work strategy.
Here you’re reminding them that you have a great track record, and at the same time flattering their work. It’s a win-win!
It would also be a good idea to summarise the project in detail (and preferably in person through a formal/informal conversation) - the steps you took to finish it, the problem solving it required, the learnings etc.
So there you go, as promised, your guide on how to deal with a micromanager!
Remember it is mostly about their insecurity and not about your competency!
Goodluck!
P.S. Power hungry Targaryens aside, the breakout character for me is Ser Simon Strong. He has his priorities set right - good food and great clothes.
Daemon : I am claiming Harrenhal
Simon : Yes please.All that is fine. Let us supper together. How are the peas? :D
