The Anxious Micromanager

The command-and-control management style has been on the decline for decades. Research has shown that companies perform better when leaders empower, encourage, and coach employees instead of delivering orders, micromanaging, and meting out discipline. Nonetheless, that style remains prevalent. At ro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Harvard business review 2023-09, p.1
Main Author: DiGangi, Julia
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Confidence
Employee empowerment
Leadership
Management styles
Managers
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The command-and-control management style has been on the decline for decades. Research has shown that companies perform better when leaders empower, encourage, and coach employees instead of delivering orders, micromanaging, and meting out discipline. Nonetheless, that style remains prevalent. At root, the tendency to micromanage stems from a leader's own anxiety and lack of confidence. To stop overrelying on a command-and-control style, leaders should look inward to understand what causes it. This article offers guidance for managers on harnessing their energy to lead in a much more effective and sustainable way.
ISSN:0017-8012