Studies indicate that 79% of workers have been subjected to micromanagement, which can lead to feelings of pressure, demotivation, and lack of inspiration, potentially affecting their personal lives as well.

To avoid these issues, it's crucial for managers to set clear expectations, which reduces the need for constant progress checks. Organizing regular review meetings can also help mitigate negativity and undue pressure at work. Instead of closely monitoring team members, managers should leverage their expertise to foster a learning environment where employees can develop their skills.

Additionally, delegating tasks among various line managers can create opportunities for discussion and shared responsibility, further enhancing team dynamics and reducing the likelihood of micromanagement.

Juliet Moran, Director of TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “It can be easy to feel as though you’re falling into the trap of becoming a micromanager once you have more responsibility.

“But this creates an unhealthy working environment as colleagues will feel untrusted, pressured and demotivated by constantly being monitored and asked unnecessary questions.

“Managers should ensure they’re not nit-picking and criticising work with excessive supervision and instead become a valuable asset for teams by creating a learning environment with training sessions.

“Setting expectations and deadlines whilst ensuring colleagues have sufficient capacity and don’t feel pressured will also help create a healthy working relationship.

“Another tip is to schedule regular review meetings with all team members to raise any concerns or progression updates and delegate tasks across the team so not everything is coming from yourself.”

Here’s how to help your team without being a micromanager:

Training and mentoring sessions

Become a valuable asset within your team by using your experience to train colleagues. Rather than monitoring employees to check they’re carrying out tasks to a high standard, create a learning environment to use your knowledge to help others.

Be clear with expectations

Set clear goals for your employees to work towards to avoid anyone feeling constantly monitored or asked questions. Communicate company wide and individual expectations and create an open and honest environment for employees to raise concerns. It’s important to remember to manage expectations and not tasks.

Stay involved from afar

Schedule specific times and meetings where you can catch up with team members for updates on progress. It’s the results that matter - and how employees achieve them should only be a secondary concern. Having specific review meetings will avoid creating an untrustworthy environment.

Set specific dates for tasks

Rather than constantly asking employees for progress or being vague around deadlines, set specific dates for competition in place. Alongside specific review meetings, teams will be more likely to be committed to the task at hand. It’s equally important to check employees have the capacity and are comfortable with the set deadlines.

Delegate tasks

Avoid becoming a micro-manager in an unhealthy work environment by sharing out tasks accordingly with other line managers and employees working at all levels. Don’t let all of the tasks come from yourself and allow the space for discussion on progress and ideas.