EOS Fractional Integrator Services | Virtual COO | Brenda Violette
Share the News....

Are You Leading Your Team Toward Your Vision or Micromanaging Them?

Visionaries are the driving force behind most successful enterprises. They’re the dreamers, the ones with the grand ideas, the ones who see the forest and not just the trees. However, it's not uncommon for visionaries to get caught up in the details, overshadowing their grand vision with the daily grind. The million-dollar question then becomes: As a Visionary, are you truly leading your team members and empowering them to be successful and engaged in your vision, or are you merely micromanaging?

Leading vs. Micromanaging: The Thin Line Between

  • Leading: Leaders set a vision, provide resources, guide, motivate, and then trust their teams to execute. They're more hands-off, providing feedback when needed but allowing autonomy.
  • Micromanaging: Micromanagers involve themselves in every small decision and task, often doubting the team’s capabilities. It's not just about control but also about not allowing the team any space to grow or make mistakes.

The Visionary's Dilemma

For a visionary, the temptation to micromanage often stems from a passion for their dream. They have a precise image of what success looks like, and anything less than perfection can seem like a threat to that dream. But in trying to perfect every detail, visionaries risk losing sight of the bigger picture.

At the core of moving away from micromanaging is letting go of the minutiae. But, if you’re like most micromanagers, you probably don’t even know you’re doing it. And without realizing it, you may unintentionally be blocking the expansion and financial growth of your business by micromanaging your most valuable company resource – your team. 

12 Signs You’re Micromanaging Your Team

Not sure if you’re micromanaging your team or not? Here are twelve clear signs that you could be micromanaging your team:

  • You avoid delegating tasks to others.
  • You become anxious when a team member doesn't perform tasks exactly how you would.
  • You're never completely satisfied with the quality of work being delivered.
  • You constantly ask for updates on the progress of tasks.
  • You can’t see the forest for the trees. You’re consumed by the details of how a task or project will be performed rather than the desired outcomes.
  • You’re laser-focused on the details and take great pride and/or pain in making corrections.
  • You constantly want to know where all your team members are and what they’re working on.
  • Team members are not empowered to make decisions.  Everything must go through you before execution. Or, you’ve tried to empower your team to make decisions, but they’re reluctant because of your constant oversight.
  • You prefer to be cc’d on emails and always have a comment.
  • You’re reluctant to pass on your skills and knowledge.
  • Projects drag on forever due to the constant starts and stops.
  • You’ve grown your business to the 6 or 7-figure revenue mark, yet you’re still managing the day-to-day operations and haven’t hired a second-in-command.

If you find yourself exhibiting these behaviors, it might be time to reevaluate.

The Cost of Micromanaging

When leaders slip into micromanagement, it isn't just a minor office annoyance. It can majorly derail a company's progress and hinder growth. Often, this behavior leads to team members feeling disconnected from the larger vision and goals of the company.

Micromanaging is counterproductive. It wastes everyone's time and signifies that leaders lack trust in their teams and doubt their capabilities. Constant scrutiny and control over team members can demotivate them, stifling creativity and innovation. This environment can lead to reduced productivity, higher turnover rates, increased frustration, and poor team morale.

For business owners and leadership teams, the focus should be on facilitating a supportive environment. This includes nurturing strong professional relationships, managing conflicts proactively, and sharing responsibilities. The most prosperous organizations thrive when leaders encourage a culture of trust, allowing team members to excel.

Micromanaging

A Brief Case For Micromanaging

Micromanaging often gets a bad reputation, but in certain circumstances, it can actually be beneficial. During the initial onboarding of new team members, for example, close supervision is necessary to ensure they align with your vision and understand their role clearly. But this should be a temporary phase; excessive control becomes harmful in the long run.

Cultivating Vision-Driven Leadership

For businesses to thrive, Visionaries must rise above the daily minutiae and focus on more strategic, high-impact tasks. This includes fostering an environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and aligned with the company’s vision. Here are some strategic tips to help you do this: 

  • Delegate with Confidence: Express your vision with precision and enthusiasm, then step back and let your team carry the baton. Trust their expertise and abilities.
  • Foster Open Communication: Allow team members to provide feedback and share their perspectives on the vision. They might offer insights that can refine and enhance the larger goal.
  • Celebrate Growth and Learning: A visionary should be the biggest cheerleader for their team. Celebrate successes, learn from missteps, and continually iterate on the vision with your team's input.

Being a visionary is about painting the bigger picture and inspiring others to join you in creating it. While the details matter, it's crucial to strike a balance. Engage your team in your vision, trust them, and together, you'll realize the dream more vividly than you ever could alone.

Ready To Let Go and Grow?

It's clear that the line between leading and micromanagement is a fine one. If you're wondering how to shift from controlling every detail to truly leading your team toward your vision, you're not alone. Often, the missing link is a second-in-command who understands your business's grand vision and day-to-day realities.

Are you living in the weeds of your business?

If you've reached the 7-figure mark and find you're still stuck in the weeds, it may be time for a change. An Integrator™ can free you up, allowing you to focus on the big picture while they handle the details.

Ready to truly empower your team and let go so your company can grow? If your answer is yes, and you’re already running your business on EOS® – let's chat! Book a call with me today. 

PS: I’d Love to Hear from You

Share your thoughts on this topic in the comments:

  • Did any points resonate particularly with you?
  • How has micromanagement influenced your business?
  • Do you feel you empower or micromanage your team?

About the Author Brenda Violette

Brenda Violette, Founder and CEO of Violette Business Services, LLC, is a highly experienced and sought-after Fractional Integrator™ and Mentor based in Connecticut. With a remarkable track record of over 30 years in leadership, Brenda excels in administration, operations, and people management. As a relentless learner, Brenda actively engages in multiple EOS®-based Visionary/Integrator™ communities and holds esteemed memberships in the FIM (Female Integrator Mastermind) and Advanced Integrator™ Mastery Forum in Rocket Fuel. She’s also a distinguished Rocket Fuel Mastery Program graduate and a certified Kolbe Consultant™. With a keen focus on driving growth and making a positive impact beyond profit, Brenda guides Visionaries to achieve their strategic goals. Brenda brings transformative value to her clients and partners exclusively with companies operating on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), who are already working with an EOS® Implementer™ or have graduated from the program. Discover how Brenda can propel your business towards significant growth and sustainability while freeing you to fulfill your role as the Visionary. Visit www.BrendaViolette.com to learn more.

follow me on:
>