This is not the first time I have talked about micromanagement over the years, and I am sure it won't be my last. Recently, I had some business friends complain to me how their employees cannot follow directions. But on the other hand, I also know a lot of people who wonder why management doesn't trust them to do their job properly. You see this not only in the corporate world but in nonprofit organizations as well. Today, managers are spending more time supervising the work of others as opposed to actually managing them.
Back in the 1960's and 1970's we talked a lot about empowering workers and teamwork, but the pendulum seems to have swung the other way and micromanagement is now in vogue in today's corporate cultures. I have a theory as to why this has happened:
First, we now live in a litigious society where everyone is paranoid about accepting responsibilities that may result in a lawsuit. As a result, employees come down with an acute case of "The Stupids" and heaps everything on their manager's desk. Such a mindset means there is little, if any, self-initiative by employees.
Second, we overly structure the activities of our youth, be it at home, in school, or on the playground. For example, when I was a kid I was always ready for a pickup game of baseball (I think I carried my glove and bat with me just about everywhere). But the youth of today doesn't think this way anymore. Instead, they need uniforms, equipment, coaches and manicured baseball fields in order to play. Further, they are more inclined to play an electronic game indoors as opposed to interacting with their peers. This is causing our youth to become socially despondent and a legitimate cause for concern in the workplace in the years ahead. And because they are only being given tasks to perform around the home, and not responsibilities, there is no sense of initiative being instilled in them. In other words, our youth are being subliminally trained to accept micromanagement. How about delegating some responsibilities to them instead? We used to call this "chores" in the old days.
Third, We've forgotten how to manage. Regardless if you are in the corporate world or a nonprofit volunteer organization, our leaders are now more driven by ego as opposed to a results orientation. Being a manager is not about having a fancy job title or building an empire, its about producing a quality product or service on time and within budget. And the only way this can be accomplished is through people. Consequently, managers need to develop their interpersonal communications and leadership skills. Its not about numbers or technology, its about people.
Managers want workers to show some self-initiative and perform their work well, but to do so, you have to train them properly and trust them accordingly. This means building loyalty and investing in the staff. It also means empowering them with responsibility and holding them accountable. Employees have to understand what their duties and goals are, and be allowed to try and conquer them. "Empowerment" implicitly means a worker has a right to try. This of course means motivation, training, and experience.
The three "top-down" primary duties of a manager are:
1. Delegate - prioritize and assign tasks to qualified employees.
2. Control work environment - minimize staff interferences and provide a suitable workplace to operate with the proper tools to perform the work.
3. Review progress - study employee reports and take corrective action where necessary.
In return, the "bottom-up" responsibilities of the workers include:
1. Participate in the planning process - review work specifications and give feedback; estimate amount of time to perform an assignment, assist in the calculation of work schedules with management.
2. Perform work within time and costs constraints.
3. Report activities to management - including the use of time, interferences, possible delays, and anticipated accelerations of schedules.
This "bottom-up" approach to management represents an empowerment scenario where the workers are made to realize their voice is important, builds trust, and encourages initiative.
But if you are the type of manager that finds its necessary to supervise the actions of your workers, than you are part of the problem, not the solution. Remember: "Manage more, supervise less.
From India, Bangalore
5Back in the 1960's and 1970's we talked a lot about empowering workers and teamwork, but the pendulum seems to have swung the other way and micromanagement is now in vogue in today's corporate cultures. I have a theory as to why this has happened:
First, we now live in a litigious society where everyone is paranoid about accepting responsibilities that may result in a lawsuit. As a result, employees come down with an acute case of "The Stupids" and heaps everything on their manager's desk. Such a mindset means there is little, if any, self-initiative by employees.
Second, we overly structure the activities of our youth, be it at home, in school, or on the playground. For example, when I was a kid I was always ready for a pickup game of baseball (I think I carried my glove and bat with me just about everywhere). But the youth of today doesn't think this way anymore. Instead, they need uniforms, equipment, coaches and manicured baseball fields in order to play. Further, they are more inclined to play an electronic game indoors as opposed to interacting with their peers. This is causing our youth to become socially despondent and a legitimate cause for concern in the workplace in the years ahead. And because they are only being given tasks to perform around the home, and not responsibilities, there is no sense of initiative being instilled in them. In other words, our youth are being subliminally trained to accept micromanagement. How about delegating some responsibilities to them instead? We used to call this "chores" in the old days.
Third, We've forgotten how to manage. Regardless if you are in the corporate world or a nonprofit volunteer organization, our leaders are now more driven by ego as opposed to a results orientation. Being a manager is not about having a fancy job title or building an empire, its about producing a quality product or service on time and within budget. And the only way this can be accomplished is through people. Consequently, managers need to develop their interpersonal communications and leadership skills. Its not about numbers or technology, its about people.
Managers want workers to show some self-initiative and perform their work well, but to do so, you have to train them properly and trust them accordingly. This means building loyalty and investing in the staff. It also means empowering them with responsibility and holding them accountable. Employees have to understand what their duties and goals are, and be allowed to try and conquer them. "Empowerment" implicitly means a worker has a right to try. This of course means motivation, training, and experience.
The three "top-down" primary duties of a manager are:
1. Delegate - prioritize and assign tasks to qualified employees.
2. Control work environment - minimize staff interferences and provide a suitable workplace to operate with the proper tools to perform the work.
3. Review progress - study employee reports and take corrective action where necessary.
In return, the "bottom-up" responsibilities of the workers include:
1. Participate in the planning process - review work specifications and give feedback; estimate amount of time to perform an assignment, assist in the calculation of work schedules with management.
2. Perform work within time and costs constraints.
3. Report activities to management - including the use of time, interferences, possible delays, and anticipated accelerations of schedules.
This "bottom-up" approach to management represents an empowerment scenario where the workers are made to realize their voice is important, builds trust, and encourages initiative.
But if you are the type of manager that finds its necessary to supervise the actions of your workers, than you are part of the problem, not the solution. Remember: "Manage more, supervise less.
From India, Bangalore
The thoughts that you have shared is a article written by Tim Bryce and copied by you. Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the field.
This article can also be read at: http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/irm/ar...06042007-16628
From India, Mumbai
This article can also be read at: http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/irm/ar...06042007-16628
From India, Mumbai
I agree that its written by someone and i never mentioned i wrote it myself. So please understand that its a posting site where you can post articles of your own or share the wonderful posts that anyone has come across. Its up to the person who posts to mention the name or not. Its not any offense or wrong till he doesnt claim that he has written the article on his own
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
Let me share the posting guidlines. It states very clearly and in read that:
"DO NOT COPY PASTE ENTIRE ARTICLES OR UPLOAD MATERIAL FROM OTHER WEBSITES OR GROUPS UNLESS YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO DO SO. THIS IS COPYRIGHTS INFRINGEMENT AND LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR AGAINST YOU.
Instead add a small excerpt of the article along with a link to the original article and your comments. This is legal and is allowed on CiteHR."
Any information posted by you, under your name is considered as your posting and your thoughts.
So, be careful.
From India, Mumbai
"DO NOT COPY PASTE ENTIRE ARTICLES OR UPLOAD MATERIAL FROM OTHER WEBSITES OR GROUPS UNLESS YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO DO SO. THIS IS COPYRIGHTS INFRINGEMENT AND LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR AGAINST YOU.
Instead add a small excerpt of the article along with a link to the original article and your comments. This is legal and is allowed on CiteHR."
Any information posted by you, under your name is considered as your posting and your thoughts.
So, be careful.
From India, Mumbai
Hi..
Its a nice post and the reactions of the other members have been prompt in cautioning the member who posted the article.
Just to avoid such situations could I make a suggestion for the site managers?? In the header which says "Post a new Topic" a small caution note can be mentioned that "Articles copied and posted for benefit of members must furnish the link/ reference of the source?". This would help all new members to take note of this while posting articles of their interest.
Jyothi
Its a nice post and the reactions of the other members have been prompt in cautioning the member who posted the article.
Just to avoid such situations could I make a suggestion for the site managers?? In the header which says "Post a new Topic" a small caution note can be mentioned that "Articles copied and posted for benefit of members must furnish the link/ reference of the source?". This would help all new members to take note of this while posting articles of their interest.
Jyothi
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