My Way or the Highway

Micromanagement is one of the most widely condemned managerial sins, and one of the most common employee complaints. It contributes to low morale, high turnover, inefficiency, instability, and lack of continuity in an organization. Being perceived as a micromanager can also have significant negative ramifications on your career.

But Harry Chambers proves that micromanagement can be identified and resisted—both by those who (often unknowingly) inflict it and by those who are its victims.

Chambers details the defining traits of micromanagers, and provides a Micromanagement Potential Indicator (MPI) test to help you evaluate whether (and to what extent) you might be a micromanager. He provides real-world examples of micromanagement in action, analysis of the damage it does, and advice on what to do about it—whether you’re the victim or the perpetrator. He offers detailed, field-tested strategies that will eliminate the damage that over-controlling behavior causes and increase creativity, risk-taking, productivity, and initiative in any organization.Preface

PART I Micromanagement: Fact and Fiction
Introduction
1 The Scope of Micromanagement
2 Team “Me”: Putting the I in Micro
3 The Influence of Time
4 The Immortalization of Frank Sinatra: “My Way”
5 Approval Requirements
6 Dysfunctional Monitoring and Reporting

PART II Dealing with the People Who Micromanage You: What to Do When You Are the MicromanagEE
7 The Response to Being Micromanaged
8 Effective Strategies for EEs: Dealing with the People Who Micromanage You

PART III Avoiding Becoming the MicromanagER: Symptoms of Micromanagement
9 Becoming a Micromanagement Buster: Neutralizing Your Own Micromanagement Behavior
10 Negotiating Operating Agreements

PART IV Managing a Micromanager: Changing the Behavior of Others
11 When You Manage a Micromanager: Directly Impacting the Behavior of Others
12 Conclusion
APPENDIX Micromanagement Survey
Information
Index
About the Author“My Way or the Highway is the silver bullet that strikes at the heart of the micromanagement monster! Chambers offers fresh insights and tools to overcome the disruptive behaviors of micromanagers.”
—Angie Fitts, CPA, Accounting Operations Director, Cingular Wireless

“The CEOs in my Executive Forums will certainly want to discuss Chambers’ latest book … maybe because it cuts a little close to home.”
—William S. McIlwaine, President, Renaissance Executive Forums

"An excellent read! Chambers is a master at getting to the point about what is critical to good management, and getting results. Managers on every level need to have this book."
—Diane Valek, President & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama
Harry E. Chambers is President of the Atlanta-based training and consulting company Trinity Solutions, Inc. His clients include the IBM, Verizon, the U. S. Postal Service, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control, and Alcon Laboratories. He is the author of five previous books, including The Bad Attitude Survival Guide.