Are You Micromanaging Your Team?

Are you a micromanager? Especially if you’re a new manager building your confidence and leadership style, check in with yourself and ask these three questions to ensure you’re not leading with a grip.

Am I always giving my team advice? There’s nothing wrong with giving your team members advice in situations that truly require it (high-stakes projects, urgent issues, or new processes that require more hands-on guidance). But in most cases, your goal should be to help people develop their own approaches. Use your expertise to ask teaching-oriented questions that will help your direct reports grow.

Do I need to approve every decision my team makes? Don’t be a bottleneck. Make a list of high-stakes decisions you need to oversee or approve and lower-stakes items you can delegate to trusted employees. Remember: Delegating isn’t just saving you time—it’s giving your employees a chance to learn.

Do I approach feedback as a one-way street? Use your one-on-one check-ins to turn feedback discussions into a dialogue. Give your reports a chance to evaluate themselves before sharing your evaluation. And be proactive about asking your team for feedback on your leadership.