How to Stop Micromanaging Your Team – Part 3
Tailoring Leadership to Individuals
In Parts 1 and 2, we looked at the limits of micromanagement and contrasted this with ‘CEO’ leadership, which helps you gain a better understanding of the people on your team and what inspires them. By forcing everyone to follow your way of working, you may stifle their creativity and potential. But if you take the time to understand their individual strengths and motivations, you can guide them to turn their ‘have-to’ tasks into ‘want-to’ goals.
Micromanagement may feel like the safest route to ensure things are done your way, but it ignores the fact that not everyone is wired the same way. If we understand what inspires our team members and help them find their own "inspiration zone," they will push through obstacles and find their way to success.
Why Attitudes Matter More Than Behaviour
We can rarely change someone’s behaviour by addressing their behaviour alone. Most people’s behaviour is driven by their attitudes, which are shaped by their values and beliefs. If someone believes that the company “doesn’t care about me,” then why should they care about the company?
However, if they believe that the company genuinely values them, they’ll respond positively. People want to know that what they’re doing makes a difference—not just to the company’s profit, but to a larger cause. When employees align their values with the organisation’s, micromanagement becomes unnecessary because they are self-motivated to achieve.
Leading with Purpose
Micromanagement often stems from a leader’s desire for control, but it limits the potential of a team by imposing a single way of working. Great leaders understand that everyone is motivated differently, and they focus on creating environments where people can thrive according to their strengths. By embodying the CEO traits—Character, Empowering, and Opportunities—you can build a team that is inspired to succeed on their own terms.
When leaders inspire rather than control, micromanagement becomes obsolete, and the team’s performance is improved.
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Next Steps
Consider how aligned your values are as a team.
Consider using Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework to improve team cohesion and productivity.
To take your leadership to the next level, I can tailor an executive coaching programme for you.
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Attributions
Photo: Christina Morillo
Copy & Content Support: Will Salmon
