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

Chamber of Commerce has said it would micromanage business practices and lead to higher costs for consumers.

From Salon

Another message said: "No one will micromanage our lives, I do not owe anyone an explanation, an indigenous family."

From BBC

But Vance deeming her a "miserable cat lady" backfired, only drawing more attention to how Republican leaders want to micromanage the uteruses of America.

From Salon

Additionally, puppies whose mothers let them figure out problems on their own wind up being better guide dogs than puppies whose mothers micromanage them, an observation that also has parallels to human experiences.

From Salon

Uganda’s Julia Sebutinde said the court could not “micromanage” a war and Israel’s Aharon Barak, temporarily-appointed for the case, said the ICJ’s order was “qualified” so long as the country adhered to the Genocide Convention.

From BBC

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.