Volume XXIII, Number 10 Issue 1119 | March 10, 2025
Ask Yourself, “Am I the Bottleneck?”
It is possible there are those serving in leadership roles today who like to micromanage. Perhaps they choose to micromanage because they enjoy controlling things. Perhaps it is because they do not believe their team is competent. Perhaps they fear that by ceding authority they will be shown up by a member of their team. Or perhaps it is because that is the way they have been managed and thus the only model they know. Regardless of their justification for micromanaging their people, they should know it is among the least effective means of getting things done – particularly with an experienced and capable staff. Of course, to the extent members of their team are competent, they are not likely to hang around for long under the thumb of a micromanager. Thus, an inexperienced team may be the byproduct of a micromanager and the reason their team is incapable of doing their job without constant oversight.
Contrast that with effective leaders who go to great lengths to avoid that management style and the label that goes with it. Those leaders know that in delegating authority to their people (trusting and entrusting), they increase the amount of time they have to focus on the things where they can add the most value. They also know that in entrusting their people with work and authority – including the opportunity to make and learn from their mistakes – they are developing their people.
I admit there are places and times where micromanagement is appropriate. For example, consider the new employee. Until that individual can demonstrate their technical competence, a higher-than-normal degree of oversight is warranted. But once acceptable knowledge and skill levels are evident, then the wise manager gets out of the way. They remain a resource while not being an impediment. Developing their people, permitting them to do the work, and delegating authority are among the most important things a leader can do. Failure to do that is a failure to lead. So, what kind of leader are you?
Soli Deo Gloria
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
Transforming Potential into Unmatched Performance
Copyright 2025 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Recent issues of Musings may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are always welcome.