What You Should Know

In the workplace, micromanaging usually means that a boss is too controlling of their employees' work. This often shows up as too many check-ins, nitpicking small details, or insisting on being asked about even small choices.
People can micromanage each other in relationships, like when one partner micromanages the other. Parents can also micromanage their kids. Sometimes, "overfunctioning" is another word for interpersonal micromanaging.
Surveys of employees show that micromanaging bosses are common, but the damage they do is very different from person to person. Some are only annoying sometimes, but others can really hurt employee morale and productivity.
Micromanagers may be driven by hubris or a feeling of superiority over their staff. Studies show that micromanaging can be a type of workplace bullying when it is done on purpose and to hurt the employee.
Micromanaging can also be caused by anxiety or insecurity. For example, a leader who isn't sure of their skills or is afraid of being blamed for a team's mistakes may be too controlling.
Bosses who micromanage because they are worried, not because they are arrogant, are more likely to want to change their behaviour. They might be able to work on their insecurity or need for control by talking to a therapist.

Change Now

Check in on yourself regularly. Looking at your expectations and actions every so often can help you find the right balance between micromanaging and checking out.
Know why you do what you do: Figuring out why you micromanage some situations but not others could help you find the right balance and become a better leader.
Treat each employee as an individual. Some people do better when they are watched, while others do better when they are left alone. Change the way you do things based on how well they work, their personality, and their likes and dislikes.