Most of us are familiar with micromanagers – those leaders who seem to always be over your shoulders and making comments about everything you do. While the research is just starting to come out about the effects of micromanagers, employees have been quick to report the negative side effects of micromanagement, such as increased stress and less interest in participating in work tasks. To contribute to the growing literature, and to better understand the effects of micromanagers, researchers (Ryan & Cross, 2024) investigated micromanagers’ effects on millennial workers, a group that makes up one of the largest proportions of today’s workforce.
THE RESEARCH STUDY
The researchers used an online survey to gather data from 117 millennial employees to see what effects micromanagement had on the employees’ work experience. Overall, millennials were quite displeased with micromanagement. Of this sample, 90% of respondents indicated that they would be unhappy to be excluded from the decision making process in the workplace. In addition, 73% of respondents indicated that they wanted opportunities to make their own decisions. Importantly, 89% of millennials said they were less likely to be good followers if their leaders reacted negatively to employees who speak up and offer their own opinions.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Micromanagers may fail to cultivate followership, among other harmful outcomes. If organizations want to prevent the negative effects of micromanagers, they may consider doing the following:
- When hiring, be proactive in screening for micromanagers. This can help avoid the problem before it takes root.
- Develop a reliable and anonymous way for employees to express their concerns with micromanagement without fearing consequences.
- Provide leadership coaching that helps people avoid micromanagement behavior. This may lead to a happier, more enthusiastic, and more productive workforce.
Ryan, S., & Cross, C. (2024). Micromanagement and its impact on millennial followership styles. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 45(1), 140-152.