How to deal with a micromanaging boss

To deal with a micromanaging boss you need to attempt to build a trusting relationship with your boss, stay positive, and request feedback. Here are some details on these ways and others to help you deal with a micromanaging boss:

• Attempt to build a trusting relationship with your boss

  The best way to combat a micromanaging boss is to gain their trust. Oftentimes one of the reasons bosses participate in micromanagement is because they don't trust their employees. If you can make your boss trust you, they will feel like they don't have to be constantly looking over your shoulder all of the time. Look at your areas of improvement to start this process.

• Stay positive

  Being positive on the job all the time can be tough, however, if you can take an optimistic view at work it is likely to be infectious to others working around you, even your boss. Being motivated and working positively is another way to gain the respect and trust of your boss, making it less likely that they will feel the need to continue micromanaging you.

• Request feedback

  Bosses that micromanage can often be constantly criticizing your actions and the way you work. However, you can use this to your advantage by turning these criticisms into areas of improvement. Try to sit down and have a frank conversation with your boss about the ways you could improve your work.

• Try to understand your boss's expectations

  Micromanaging bosses tend to have a lot of high and strict expectations. This can be frustrating but you can also use this to your advantage. Once you fully comprehend your boss' expectations you can record them on a list to refer to as you work. Doing this will show your boss that you take initiative and that you don't need to be constantly supervised.

• Try to understand your boss's perspective

  Sometimes bosses micromanage because they themselves are stressed out about a work issue. This is why you should try to empathize with your boss, the buck stops with them, and that means they have a lot of potentially stressful responsibilities. They should not take this out on you as an employee, but understanding this may help you to relieve them in some way.

• Ask your boss for more independence

  If you can manage to gain your boss' trust and respect, you can then ask them for more independence. You can show your commitment to the job and company by asking about higher roles with more responsibilities and ones that require less supervision. Tell them you want to further develop your professional and leadership skills within your organization.

• Be honest with your boss

  If you are finding your bosses' constant micromanaging intolerable, you should attempt to have a conversation with them about it. Remember to be honest and direct, but remain professional. Your boss may not even be aware of just how much they are micromanaging your position. Try to give them constructive feedback on how their supervision isn't working.