Credits to Amy Gibson make sure to follow her!
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I used to think micromanagement was normal.
Even had a boss who needed to control everything.
My former boss told me:
“I want to review every email before sending.”
I assumed this was normal.
Can you imagine having to:
Share my entire to-do list
Fill out 6-minute timesheets
Submit daily progress reports
All for normal administrative work?!
One hour of my day was spent just
tracking my other hours.
Then I switched companies.
On my first day, I asked my new boss
when he wanted to review my emails.
His response floored me:
“Why would I do that? I trust you to handle this.”
When I mentioned sharing my to-do list, he said:
“How you manage your time is up to you. My job was
making the right call in hiring someone I trust.”
That’s when it hit me: A leader’s job isn’t to control.
It’s to enable.
To support.
To mentor.
When leaders micromanage their team,
they’re sending a clear message:
“I don’t trust you.”
Micromanagement isn’t just careful supervision.
It’s a confession of failed leadership.
I learned this the hard way.
Now, as a leader, I try to empower my team.
Here’s how:
1. Set clear goals, then step back.
2. Focus on outcomes, not process.
3. Celebrate my team’s initiative, not my control.
4. Build trust through action, not just words.
5. Let them find their own way to success.
6. Focus on growth, not just mistakes.
And I couldn’t be prouder of them.
Leaders, your team is capable of more than you imagine.
But only if you let them prove it.
Give them a chance.
something valuable walks out.
I see it in workplaces everywhere.
⛔ A leader who rules by intimidation.
⛔ A team that’s too afraid to innovate.
⛔ Meetings filled with silence instead of ideas.
When you manage by fear:
• People focus on avoiding mistakes
• Energy goes to self-protection
• Growth becomes impossible
This isn’t leadership. It’s control.
True leaders understand that:
✅ Support produces better results than threats
✅ Kindness builds stronger teams than fear
✅ EQ spots problems before they grow
The numbers back this up.
Teams led with empathy consistently:
• Solve problems more creatively
• Perform better under pressure
• Adapt to change faster
• Stay together longer
Fear might get short-term compliance.
But it kills long-term excellence.
The choice is simple.
Lead with fear, and watch people shrink.
Lead with heart, and watch them soar.
Your team is capable of brilliance.
But only when they’re not afraid to shine.
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Justin WrightAuthor
1. Let mistakes happen and focus on learning from them. It helps your team feel supported and not scared.
2. Keep communication open. Ask questions and listen so people feel valued and less afraid to speak up.
3. Celebrate the small wins. Recognizing progress builds confidence and helps spark new ideas.
4. Be clear about what’s expected without using threats. People do better when they understand why something matters.
5. Be honest about challenges. Work with your team to find solutions, building trust and showing you’re on the same team.