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Ask Flex / The micromanaging boss

Ask Flex

Is your boss a micro­manager?

Probably. Look at what they check.

What they ask

"Can you have the report to me by Friday?"

"Which font are you using? Send me what you have so far. Again."

What they check

"The finished report, on Friday."

"Every step, every hour, before it's done."

An example. Your boss, your call.

Flex's short answer

If they check work you've already finished, need to approve small things, and ask for updates you already gave, probably yes. A boss who manages cares about the result, and a boss who micromanages cares about every step on the way there.

✱ The video

Rather watch? It's 44 seconds.

✱ Flex's tips

Spot the pattern.

1

Count the check-ins

One day, a tally mark each time. Now you have a number.

2

Notice what they check

The result, or every step on the way?

3

Name what bugs you most

That is the one to work on first.

4

Take Flex's quiz

The meter is below. Eight questions.

Try this in your own Claude or ChatGPT

Here's what my boss does: [describe a few examples]. Is this micromanaging, or normal checking in? Give me an honest answer and one small thing I could try this week.

Before you paste work stuff into any AI, check what your company allows.
Free tool

The Micromanager Meter

Eight questions. See where your boss lands on the meter, and one move to try.

Take the quiz
Flex the robot peeking out from behind a big potted plant with his tablet, while a boss's shadow holding a coffee mug looms over the cubicle wall
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✱ What people ask
What are the signs of a micromanaging boss?

Constant check-ins, redoing your work, wanting to be copied on everything, and no decision made without them.

What's an example of a micromanaging boss?

Asking for an update ten minutes after the last one, or approving the wording of a two-line email.

Why do bosses micromanage?

Often it's worry, or pressure from their own boss. Flex has a page on it.

✱ More from this pile: The micromanaging boss
How do you deal with a micro­manager boss?Why does your boss keep checking on you?Why do bosses micro­manage?How do you handle a micro­managing boss without getting fired?What do you say to a micro­managing boss?How do you respond to a micro­manager email?How do you deal with a micro­managing coworker?How do you deal with a micro­manager who also underpays you?Micro­managing boss who doesn't let you do anything?Managers: how do you stop micro­managing? The Micromanager Meter
From Nikki's blogFlex tells you how. Nikki tells you what it felt like. Read it on Clawd and Me. Read it →

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