 |
| You've received this newsletter because you subscribed to it using our double opt-in sign-up process. To unsubscribe, just click the link at the bottom of this email. Alternatively, if you're not already a subscriber, you can sign up here. |
|
||||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
| ... And from the Career Excellence Club
|
||||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
| Introducing... The New-Look Career Excellence Club As you may or may not know, we've spent four years working to provide a fantastically rich set of career success resources within our Career Excellence Club. Over the last nine months, we've also been working hard to make the Club really simple and enjoyable to use. We're now proud to launch this work as the new-look Career Excellence Club!  Here's what members are saying about the new style Club:
As well as updating the design of the club, we've improved the navigation and usability so that you can find what you want more easily. Plus, we've added a new feature, My Favorites, so that you can save your favorite articles and pages to your own personal bookmark area in the club. Naturally, the Club is still packed full of resources to help you to excel in your career, including the in-depth Toolkit and Bite-Sized Training sessions, and our Book Insight and Expert Interview podcasts. Try the Club for yourself (just $1 for the first month) or take the Club Tour to find out more! |
||||
| Editors' Choice Article Escaping Micromanagement Becoming More Independent
You like the work that you do, and you want to stay with the company. So how can you improve your situation? How can you get your boss - and perhaps your organization - to trust you more? Working in a micromanaged environment isn't easy. In this article, we'll highlight the disadvantages of micromanagement, and we'll explore what you can do if your boss micromanages you.
Disadvantages of Micromanagement There are several disadvantages to a micromanagement style of leadership:
Critique Yourself First, it's important to find out why your boss is micromanaging you. If he behaves this way only with you, then perhaps you're the cause. Look honestly at your own work and habits. Have you ever given your boss a reason to mistrust you? Does disorganization or poor time management cause you to miss important deadlines? Do you find it hard to concentrate, or communicate poorly? Or do you fail to follow up on important leads or emails that your boss sends you? These are tough questions. It's hard to look at yourself and your work objectively. Ask your colleagues for help. They may give you a clearer picture of your work habits than you'll see on your own. If your work quality is lacking, or if you have issues with your communication skills, then your boss may believe that the only way to keep you motivated and focused is to manage every project that he gives you closely. If this is the case, meet with him so that both of you can assess your performance honestly. Ask him for specific problem areas, and work on improving those issues first. After all, the faster you improve, the sooner your boss will start trusting you. Communicate If your boss micromanages everyone on your team, then this is simply her style of leadership. The good news is that she may not realize that she's causing a negative impact on the team. If you think this is true, and if you think your boss is open to honest feedback, then consider asking to meet with her one-on-one. Explain to her, honestly and diplomatically, how her management style impacts your work. Give specific examples in which her micromanagement negatively affected you or the team, or how it caused delays. Remember, be assertive (members only link) but kind. If your boss truly doesn't know that she's micromanaging, she might be shocked to find out how she's impacting the team. Our article Role Playing (members only) can help you prepare for difficult conversations like these. Strategies for Overcoming Micromanagement If your boss knows that he's micromanaging, and this is his natural leadership style, then things could get a bit more complicated. Try these tips:
Micromanagement can cause all sorts of problems. If your organization or boss micromanages, this may hurt your creativity, your morale, and your productivity. To overcome these negative effects, determine if the way you work is the reason your boss doesn't trust you to be independent. And if micromanagement is simply your boss's leadership style with everyone, then consider explaining to her, kindly and diplomatically, how her micromanagement impacts your work. Also, try to structure your work around her driving motivators, and gradually ask for more independence by being delegated small tasks, and proving that you can complete these successfully. |
||||
| A Final Note from James I hope you've found this week's articles useful! Next time we're looking at the symptoms of Fear of Success, and how you can overcome it to achieve your goals. (It's much more common that you'd think, and some of us don't even know that we have it.) We also look at Path-Goal Theory. This is a fascinating, common-sense approach to leadership, and it's one you're sure to like. Until then, do check out the new-look Club. Have a great week!
Privacy Policy: Mind Tools will treat your email address with complete respect and will not circulate it to any third party. If you are not already a subscriber to this newsletter and you would like to be one, you can sign up at http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm If you have enjoyed this issue, please do email it on to your friends and co-workers. To find out about new tools on the Mind Tools site the moment they're uploaded, click here to subscribe to the Mind Tools RSS feed (you'll need an RSS newsreader installed). We welcome appropriate reprinting and reuse of Mind Tools material, but , you must get our permission first! To do this, please visit our Permissions Center. © Mind Tools Ltd, 2010. This newsletter is published by Mind Tools Ltd of 2nd Floor, 145-157 St John Street, London, EC1V 4PY, UK. You have received this email because you have confirmed that you want to receive it using our confirmed opt-in process. To unsubscribe, please use the link at the bottom of this email. Mind Tools Ltd (Company Number 04829074, VAT Number: GB 840 1273 62) and Mind Tools (North America) Ltd (Company Number 05610859) are companies registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Hardwick House, Prospect Place, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 3LJ, United Kingdom. |
