I’m sure you are hearing the word ‘Micromanager’ around you. What is it? Is it bad or good? Have you ever wondered what a Micromanager is?

Here is the real truth about the misconceptions between Micromanager and Bad Manager.

When I began my career as a visual designer, I started working on a project. That project always went through a Project Manager who was overseeing all the projects and deliverables with proper dates and everything. At that time, I was working in an MNC, and there was a well-defined process for your work. You could check your email, complete the task, and then send back your update, including the details of the folder path for that work.

In my practice, I started doing it and got used to it. Because I was new to the system, I didn’t feel that it was a well-defined process that would be critical in my next career move or when I switched companies.

I switched companies, and when I entered this new workplace, I realized there was no system to manage things and get work done. There was always chaos in getting work and delivering it.

I had to go to my senior’s desk every morning to inquire about the day’s tasks, and I had to share files using a pen drive and show them for approval. It was a very manual and annoying process, constantly having to address my seniors as ‘Sir… Sir…’

I became frustrated and left that system after just four days, but I did take my whole month’s salary from HR 🙂 🙂 and never mentioned it on my resume or anywhere else.

After working in both companies, I worked smoothly in my first MNC company with no chaos or annoyance, but I grew frustrated in just four days.

I realized that all of this happened because of poor management. While thinking about this in a rickshaw on my way home, I started reading about “How to Manage Work” and “How to Be a Good Manager at Work.” I began keeping these principles in mind in my day-to-day tasks, and suddenly, people started saying, ‘Hey, you are a very good manager.’ Even though I was originally a designer, they started calling me a manager, and I started liking it.

One day, I got an opportunity to become a Design Manager, where I had to handle tasks and people.

When people were calling me “Hey, you are a good manager,” at that time, I was only a designer. But when I actually assumed the role, my workload suddenly increased, and I found myself in a panic situation. Handling your own tasks is one thing because you know everything about them, but when you start handling someone else’s tasks, it becomes your responsibility too.

My job as a manager involved handling my own tasks and others’ tasks, taking on all their responsibilities, and sometimes even dealing with senior management conflicts, all to deliver the projects. 🙁 🙁

I began to feel the strain with my burning eyes, an imbalanced work-life, and mounting stress. It was at that point I realized I needed to reconsider my situation. It couldn’t continue this way because I’m not the type of workaholic person who is always glued to the laptop, even at home and on holidays.

I started contemplating processes that could help me create a better working environment and foster a healthier working culture, etc.

To escape from this situation, I created an environment that went beyond the bookish management principles because I had experienced the reality of the situation.

While building the process, I also kept in mind that nobody should have to come and ask me about their work and deliveries. They should have access to all the information in one place and be able to complete tasks, with automatic notifications from my end. I also began working on some software tools and established basic task management rules, etc.

My teammates never complained to me about the management style, but whenever I heard someone mention that their manager was practising MICROMANAGEMENT, I would inquire why they labelled them as a Micromanager.

I thought twice and came to understand the basic comparison between Micromanagement and Bad Management. I recalled my stories and past experiences, trying to figure out WHY.

Look at the chart below:

I can’t say these pointers are enough to distinguish the difference, but in daily practice, if you encounter this kind of activity, don’t classify it as ‘MICROMANAGEMENT’ or ‘MICROMANAGER.’ Consider it as Bad Management and a Bad Manager.

If you are a good and effective micromanager in your work, then you are the best manager at your desk.

Stay Tuned,
Vikash Jha

Please share your experiences with your managers in the comments below, and I’m also okay if you’d like to share your views on the topic. It can help us better understand the subject.