Having a micromanager for a boss at your Houston job can be a frustrating experience, from the incessant hovering to the frequent disruptions. Unfortunately, since micromanaging is more of a personality trait than a management style, it’s unlikely that your boss will change anytime soon. But there are some steps you can take to cope with the situation:

First, examine your performance.

There may be a reason your boss is micromanaging you – he or she doesn’t have confidence in your performance. So look around you. Are your co-workers being micromanaged, or are you the only one? If it’s the latter, then you might need to accept the fact that you’re under-performing and determine what you need to do to improve.

Second, don’t get passive aggressive.

When confronted with a micromanager, many people tend to begin to withdraw or get passive aggressive as a way to assert control over the situation. But since this is the person who signs your paycheck, you don’t want to make your boss angry. If your boss micromanages everyone, then understand that it’s not personal. Many times, micromanagers are perfectionists with incredibly high expectations.

Third, communicate on your boss’s terms.

You have to bear in mind that your boss is under a lot of pressure to produce good results, and that may be why he or she asks for frequent updates. If their constant requests are disrupting your ability to get your work done, ask your boss the best way for you to provide these updates.

For instance, should you send them via email or in person? Once a day, or three times a day? When your boss assigns you a task, repeat what they told you in an email to ensure you’re both on the same page – i.e. “This is my understanding of the assignment. Is that correct?”

If you get into a regular habit of communicating – and even over-communicating – on your boss’s terms, then your boss can get the information he or she needs and you can get your work done without regular disruptions.

Fourth, follow the rules.

Micromanagers like to catch people breaking the rules, as if to say “See, this is why I need to manage you so closely.” Don’t give them the satisfaction. Follow the rules, don’t be late, and do your job well.

If you continue to communicate frequently and deliver excellent work, then it’s possible that your micromanaging boss might let up a bit and allow you to do your work without constant hovering. But if your boss’s micromanaging has gotten so out of control that you’re ready to explore new jobs in Houston, Murray Resources can help. We work with some of the city’s leading employers and can give you access to top jobs as a result!

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