I wasn't wit' it, but just that very minute... / It occured to me / The suckers had authority
Micromanagement
In business management, micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of their employees, generally used as a pejorative term. In contrast to giving general instructions on smaller tasks while supervising larger concerns, the micromanager monitors and assesses every step.
Micromanagement may arise from internal sources, such as concern for details, increased performance pressure, or insecurity. It can also be seen as a tactic used by managers to eliminate unwanted employees, either by creating standards employees cannot meet leading to termination, or by creating a stressful workplace causing the employee to leave.
Regardless of the motivation the effect can de-motivate employees, create resentment, and damage trust.
Micromanagement can also be distinguished from management by worker to boss ratio. When a boss can do a worker's job with more efficiency than giving the order to do the same job, this is micromanagement.
In business management, micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of their employees, generally used as a pejorative term. In contrast to giving general instructions on smaller tasks while supervising larger concerns, the micromanager monitors and assesses every step.
Micromanagement may arise from internal sources, such as concern for details, increased performance pressure, or insecurity. It can also be seen as a tactic used by managers to eliminate unwanted employees, either by creating standards employees cannot meet leading to termination, or by creating a stressful workplace causing the employee to leave.
Regardless of the motivation the effect can de-motivate employees, create resentment, and damage trust.
Micromanagement can also be distinguished from management by worker to boss ratio. When a boss can do a worker's job with more efficiency than giving the order to do the same job, this is micromanagement.
I love my job. In case you couldn't tell. Today, I had a phone call from my boss. It was his usual weekly call where he gives my shit for work that he thinks I haven't done (I usually haven't), and that he thinks should be done (they shouldn't). Today was exceptional - it was over an hour on the phone with him.
But lets break the conversation down in stages (what he said at each stage in the conversation).
- you haven't called me this week to tell me what you are doing
- (my unspoke response (MUR)) - i'm doing my job
- if, after a few days, we've not spoken you should stop and think 'I've not spoken to **** in a few days, I should call him'. In fact, I don't even mind if its when you get home and just give me a quick call to fill me in on what you've been doing all day.
- MUR: you must be ****ing kidding me
- i've also noticed that you've not been filling in the outlook tasks that i've assigned you.
- MUR: that's because they are mindless trivial tasks that you wasted several days coming up with that offer no real business benifit.
- MUR: they cut into my job hunting time.
- i think it would be a really good idea for you to keep track of everything you do in your calendar, where i can keep track of it. that way when someone calls me to find out what you are doing, i can easily tell them.
- MUR: why aren't these people calling me?
- MUR: and don't they have their own jobs to do? and not be so worried about what I'm doing? (see micromanagement above)
- (I opened his calendar at this point in the conversation) Me: I'm looking at your calendar now, and all it has for the entire week is your dentist appointment from this morning. Him (totally ignoring the fact that i even opened my mouth): so in future if you ensure that i have total visibility of your calendar and tasks I would appreciate it. it would be best if you put a daily reminder in, perhaps at the end of everyday, to fill in what you have done that day. it might also be handy to put a reminder in to call me as well. in fact I could assign you another task that relates to that.
- MUR: you must be ****ing kidding me
Then came the storm of emails/tasks/calendar entries from him that lasted.... wait for it.... 2 1/2 hours. yup. for the next 2 1/2 hours he sent me task after email after task after email. all with ludicrously stupid things to do. The best one so far is to (bear in mind that I'm direct manager for 7 staff members) manage the development and performance of staff. seeing as that is actually my job, i'm not entirely certain what percentage to put the task completion at. I think I'll just leave it for a month or so and then mark in complete.
In outlook, select New, Task. In the description field enter 'Rant about micromanaging, slope shouldered, work shy, verbal diarrhoetic manager'. Under Due date put today's date, same with Start date. Status should read 'Waiting on someone else' (oh the irony).
Title: Public Enemy - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos from It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back - 1988
youtube from live performance in Toronto!
posted by Wally @ 2:47 pm
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