Over-Controlling Bosses Breed Low Producers

8th April, 2010 - Posted by L. John Mason -

Each person comes with a brain. If your personnel are hired with the qualifications to do their job then after appropriate orientation and specific training they should be allowed to perform their appointed activities. If minor mid-course corrections are required, then an appropriate mentor or manager can step in for the necessary corrections. But if the person is “over-managed” or “Micro-managed” or supervised by too many managers (who may have conflicting agendas) then your organization’s culture and bottom-line will not thrive. Workers will develop lowered self-esteem and not want to problem solve or use creative, self-generated solutions. People will then work minimum requirements until they move on.

If your personnel do not take responsibility for their mistakes or low productivity, after appropriate training, then your organization must begin to make plans to separate these people from your workforce. (It is not always a good fit…) But be aware of when your culture or your poorly skilled managers drive away qualified people because this can be very expensive and a waste of time.

Organizations can benefit from using a 360 Degree review type of assessment to determine if your executives or mid-level managers are over managing, AND driving your “talent” away. If your executives or managers are “insecure” and feel the need to “over-manage” then perhaps these are not the correct people for these management positions.

Every person comes equipped with a brain and these brains need to be allowed freedom to find positive, creative solutions to your organization’s challenges. Withered creativity and overly managed employees will create situations that can lead to sabotage and reduced productivity.

If you do have internal consultants to assess your managers then consider the long term cost saving of having an external consultant help to analyze your managers/executives skill-sets. Since the skills of great executives and managers are developed, if you want this happen more quickly, please consider executive coaching. The Stress Education Center’s Executive Coaching program may be useful to you or your organization. For a tailored proposal contact www.dstress.com for an interview and to discuss your specific requirements.