Micromanagement

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See Micromanagement (computer gaming) for RTS and Video Gaming Micromanagement.

In business management, micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of their employees, generally used as a pejorative term. In contrast to giving general instructions on smaller tasks while supervising larger concerns, the micromanager monitors and assesses every step.

Micromanagement may arise from internal sources, such as concern for details, increased performance pressure, or insecurity. It can also be seen as a tactic used by managers to eliminate unwanted employees, either by creating standards employees cannot meet leading to termination, or by creating a stressful workplace causing the employee to leave.

Regardless of the motivation the effect can de-motivate employees, create resentment, and damage trust.

Upper management should be aware that sometimes employees use this accusation as a way of getting out of doing their work properly; slackers may use this to get their manager off their back. A manager that constantly monitors everything is not necessarily a micromanager, they may just really care about how a department looks to others and the quality of service provided.

Micromanagement can also be distinguished from management by worker to boss ratio. Any time there is one worker being given orders by one boss, both people are rendered useless. When a boss can do a worker's job with more efficiency than giving the order to do the same job, this is micromanagement.