Micromanagement Definition
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 task while supervising larger concerns, the micromanager monitors and assesses every step.
Micromanagment 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 may be to de-motivate employees, create resentment, and damage trust.
Micromanagement can also be distinguished from management by the 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 workers job with less inefficiency than giving the orders to do the same job, this is micromanagement.