h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Everyone of us has had a number of different bosses in a number of different occupations. My discussion deals with micromanagers vs. macromanagers.

I learned over time that the macromanagerial style means that an employer or superior trains the staff or unit well and then allows them to perform their job with a minimal amount of intervention. If the task call for intervention, the superior makes adjustments as needed then leaves the area.

The micromanagerial style calls for the superior to maintain direct control over almost all functions and people involved. This requires the superior to be on job almost all the time.

In my experience with the U.S. Army micromanagers tend not to do well. Time constraints make this style of managing counterproductive. People tend to perform less productively when the manager is looking over their shoulder.

This is a major reason why macromanagers perform so well. They keep the time of direct intervention to a minimum. If a situation calls for it, they are not afraid of jumping in, but prefer to keep a distance and let their subordinates take direct charge.

Macromanagers seem to instill more trust in their subordinates. The less amount of direct "over the shoulder" involvement makes for less time used to recheck work. They allow their subordinates to take more control and responcability for their actions. A higher sense of pride goes along with this.

Micromanagers tend to instill a sense of fear. Fear of screwing up or not doing what they have been trained to do. Subordinate leaders feel more like other workers instead of leaders. This is also a style of leadership which uses more "blamethrowing" instead of correcting.

What style of leader are you?

This sounds like it would make a good Article!

I've worked for both types.......macros are my favorites. They understand that I know my job better than they do. I'm better suited to make decisions in my area than he is! That allows me the freedom to use my knowledge and creativity to solve the problem.

Better to have multiple minds finding solutions, than one mind dictating policy!

NM