The mind-numbing struggles of having a micromanager truly cannot be overstated. As they hover behind your shoulder, over-explain the basics of creating an Excel sheet and want to look over every tiny task you complete, the urge to scream something along the lines of ‘please stop treating me like an idiot and back off’ becomes overwhelming, and it’s tempting to just pack it in and quit. 

Neither option is ideal, so what can we do instead? We asked LinkedIn careers expert Charlotte Davies for her top tips for navigating this tricky situation. 

“Having a micromanager can be one of the most frustrating things about a role you may otherwise love,” Davies tells Stylist. “You may feel it’s hindering your progression and learning opportunities, so it’s important to address the situation and try to change things so you can feel happier in your role and at work.”

How to do that? Here are Davies’ top four tips. 

Your micromanager probably isn’t consciously choosing to be annoying. Davies notes: “Their hands-on approach may be because of the pressure they are under to deliver results or a lack of confidence in their own ability – so it’s important to try to put yourself in their shoes.”

“Your micromanager often won’t realise what they’re doing and how their actions are affecting you,” Davies advises. “If this is the case, don’t be afraid to speak up and offer some perspective to help them understand where the dynamic is going wrong. These types of conversations might feel awkward or nerve-racking but constructively addressing the issue head-on is the best way to find a better balance of your work styles.

“Speak to your manager about how their working style is impacting you and your work, alongside specific examples. Having this conversation can be an eye-opening experience for both parties, and can be a great relationship builder if approached respectfully. To prepare yourself for this, try the free LinkedIn learning course Three Steps To Speak Up With Confidence At Work.”

When someone is micromanaging, there’s a clear lack of trust. Something has gone wrong here, and it’s worth thinking about why… then working on rebuilding the trust so you can move forward without the agg. 

“Trust is essential in any healthy workplace relationship, so consider why this may have broken down,” Davies recommends. “Try asking your boss to step back and trust you on a certain task, while ensuring they’re regularly updated on its progression. This way, you can control the situation on your own terms, not theirs.”

“If you’ve tried your best to implement these tips and more, but are still feeling the impact of being micromanaged, it might be worth speaking to your HR department for additional support and advice,” says Davies. “If you’d like to take some steps before that, LinkedIn Learning has additional resources that can support you, including the free course on How To Work With A Micromanager.”

Images: Getty