micromanage

[ mahy-kroh-man-ij ]

verb (used with object)

, mi·cro·man·aged, mi·cro·man·ag·ing.

1. to manage or control with excessive attention to minor details:

   He doesn’t think it’s the legislature’s role to micromanage schools.

micromanage

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌmænɪdʒ /

verb

1. tr to control (a business or project) with excessive attention to minor details

Other Words From

• mi·cro·man·age·ment noun
• mi·cro·man·ag·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of micromanage¹

First recorded in 1970–75; micro- ( def ) + manage ( def )

Example Sentences

Apple tried to get the proposal thrown out, but in late December the SEC ruled that the proposal does not “seek to micromanage the company,” as Apple claimed, meaning shareholders can now vote on it.

From MIT Technology Review

All this is part of a carefully crafted strategy, micromanaged by MBS, who was given effective power by his father, King Salman, in 2017, when he was just 31.

From Time

They are all adults, so I don’t feel I should need to, nor do I want to, micromanage their minutes.

From Washington Post

Mayorkas said he would monitor data showing agents’ compliance with the guidelines but would not micromanage them.

From Washington Post

Her advice for parents of those students is to help them dive into their learning interests and connect them with everyday life instead of micromanaging homework assignments.

From Washington Post

More About Micromanage

What does micromanage mean?

To micromanage is to control and guide something with excessive attention to detail.

Micromanage is most often used in business and industry when a manager or someone in authority tries to control the details their subordinates or colleagues should take care of. For example, if the boss of a company does the work of their employees to save time instead of letting the employees do the work, they are micromanaging.

Micromanage can also be used outside of business, as with group projects, team sports, relationships, and everyday life. For example, if you tell your roommate in detail how to wash the dishes even though they know how to wash dishes, you are micromanaging your roommate.

Example: Maxime always finds a way to micromanage our projects, making everyone feel useless.

Where does micromanage come from?

The first records of the term micromanage come from around the 1970s. It combines the combining form micro-, meaning “small,” and the term manage, meaning “to handle, direct, or govern.”

Micromanagement is caused by a lack of trust in someone but most often not because of that person’s performance or skill. As a result of the lack of trust, when someone is micromanaged, they will likely perform worse because they are given less opportunity to improve and learn. They are also likely to feel negatively toward the micromanager and may eventually leave the situation.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to micromanage?

• micromanagement (noun)
• micromanager (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with micromanage?

• micromanipulation
• micromarketing
• manage

What are some words that often get used in discussing micromanage?

• business
• interrupt
• obsess
• project
• team

How is micromanage used in real life?

Micromanage is a frequently used word, especially in business. It is most often thought of as a negative action.

one-tweet mgmt advice: hire the best, praise often, set clear vision, set clear expectations, don't micromanage, don't let conflict fester

— Sam Altman (@sama) May 21, 2014

A new study has found that bosses who feel powerless may micromanage and mistrust their subordinates.

— UberFacts (@UberFacts) January 23, 2017

If you need to micromanage your team, it may be that you aren’t clearly defining your expectations. #LeadershipPodcast

— Craig Groeschel (@craiggroeschel) April 19, 2017

Try using micromanage!

True or False?

Telling each employee what is expected from them is a type of micromanaging.