Oct 27, 2025 8 min read

🍣 Listening Properly, Strategic Prioritisation, Bureaucracy, Code Reviews, Tired High Performers, Tiny Teams, Tech Debt, Infinite Work: TMW #454

Are you a micromanager? Don't panic...

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Hello there, it's Monday, welcome to the week!

Micromanagement? It's Nuanced...

One of the best conversations in the CTO Craft community last week came from a member asking where the group thought the line stood between close and supportive management and micromanagement. The discussion showed that micromanagement is not defined by the action, like a CTO pairing or challenging the team, but by the underlying behaviour, intent, and context.

Pairing is generally positive collaboration, coaching, or mentorship, provided the leader avoids a controlling demeanour.
Similarly, challenging a team is healthy for quality, but becomes micromanagement if the leader starts dictating the exact solution or imposes unsolicited advice.

The core issue is control and a lack of trust; actions that foster collaboration and psychological safety are not micromanagement.

Navigating this requires situational leadership. A more directive style might be appropriate for very junior or stuck team members until they gain confidence, but this must be intentional support, not control. The team member's experience matters most: if an individual feels micromanaged, the leader must listen and adjust their delivery. This allows the leader to ensure their input is perceived as a healthy challenge or constructive support, transforming the interaction into a positive, developmental one.

Micromanagement is about Control, Not the Act: It's defined by the leader's controlling behavior and lack of trust, not by collaborating or setting high standards.
Context Dictates Style: A leader must be intentional, adapting their approach from directing/supporting (for junior/stuck members) to coaching and delegating based on the situation.
Prioritise their Experience: Leaders must listen and adjust how they deliver feedback to ensure it is perceived as healthy support and not criticism or control.

Reflect on a time you felt micromanaged... What specific behaviours led to that perception, and how could they have been reframed or altered?

That's it, on with the links! See you next Monday

Andy @ CTO Craft

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