TIP: Manage Without Micromanaging

Both new and experienced managers can struggle with how be involved in their employees' work without micromanaging. You want to be hands-on and provide support, but still give them autonomy to make decisions. There are two stages where it makes sense to engage more deeply: preparation and review. When the employee is laying out the plans for her work, your role is to ask crucial questions: Who should be involved? How does this fit into your goals? These conversations will assure you the employee is prepared and ready to act on her own. When the project is complete, do a post-action review. Reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what the employee learned. There's no need to get involved in between unless the employee is a novice or problems arise. Read more>