> Micromanagers are often demonized and we try really hard not to be one.
Haha if you want a fun contrarian topic for your backlog, try a post on “good reasons to micromanage” 😊
Micromanaging without knowing that you are is def bad. (I guess for *everything* it’s better to be self-aware and deliberate!)
But a lot of the time behaviours that might get labelled as micromanage-y are actually really good and functioning as an apprenticeship, extended onboarding, etc. It’s not something only a manger can do; but it’s something that might be right for them to do, at least for a while, depending on the team. Fear of being labelled a micromanager can get in the way of good, focused investment in your team.
Of course it all depends on the people involved. So just ask! I’ve said, “I feel like I’m micromanaging you, is this too much?” and heard “You absolutely are micromanaging me and please keep doing it; ask me again in a month to see if I still want it.”
Just the idea of doing contrarian topics is a lot of fun!
I have certainly been on the receiving end of that request, which was essentially "please micromanage me" or "please micromanage me on this project because I am drowning". Sometimes unlimted freedom is a great thing for engineers, and sometimes it's setting them up for failure.
Having a laptop in the bathroom caught my attention! - I'll wait for waterproof ones :)
For the crafting environment part, my trick is to use specific music for specific tasks. I have a dedicated playlist for writing, which acts as a task reminder for the brain.
Good luck with your sustainable habits.
'On Scary Chess' is one that I wasn't sure should be published, but it serves as a good reminder to face our fears - Thank you Coltin, for sharing it!
As someone who has lost a phone to accidentally dropping it in the toilet (goodnight sweet ZTE Axon 7 🫡) it's not a bad idea to wait for a waterproof one! looool.
Music triggers is a very interesting and powerful idea! That's awesome. A lot of my writing is done while watching kids listening to Danny Go or Miss Rachael, maybe they will become my sound triggers haha.
I can imagine people listening to your public Spotify playlist, ‘Coltin’s In-The-Zone Writing Super Focus Music’, filled with these kids’ songs from yt channels - priceless.
> Micromanagers are often demonized and we try really hard not to be one.
Haha if you want a fun contrarian topic for your backlog, try a post on “good reasons to micromanage” 😊
Micromanaging without knowing that you are is def bad. (I guess for *everything* it’s better to be self-aware and deliberate!)
But a lot of the time behaviours that might get labelled as micromanage-y are actually really good and functioning as an apprenticeship, extended onboarding, etc. It’s not something only a manger can do; but it’s something that might be right for them to do, at least for a while, depending on the team. Fear of being labelled a micromanager can get in the way of good, focused investment in your team.
Of course it all depends on the people involved. So just ask! I’ve said, “I feel like I’m micromanaging you, is this too much?” and heard “You absolutely are micromanaging me and please keep doing it; ask me again in a month to see if I still want it.”
Just the idea of doing contrarian topics is a lot of fun!
I have certainly been on the receiving end of that request, which was essentially "please micromanage me" or "please micromanage me on this project because I am drowning". Sometimes unlimted freedom is a great thing for engineers, and sometimes it's setting them up for failure.
Thanks Niall!
Having a laptop in the bathroom caught my attention! - I'll wait for waterproof ones :)
For the crafting environment part, my trick is to use specific music for specific tasks. I have a dedicated playlist for writing, which acts as a task reminder for the brain.
Good luck with your sustainable habits.
'On Scary Chess' is one that I wasn't sure should be published, but it serves as a good reminder to face our fears - Thank you Coltin, for sharing it!
As someone who has lost a phone to accidentally dropping it in the toilet (goodnight sweet ZTE Axon 7 🫡) it's not a bad idea to wait for a waterproof one! looool.
Music triggers is a very interesting and powerful idea! That's awesome. A lot of my writing is done while watching kids listening to Danny Go or Miss Rachael, maybe they will become my sound triggers haha.
Thanks Michal! I'm glad you published it :D
I can imagine people listening to your public Spotify playlist, ‘Coltin’s In-The-Zone Writing Super Focus Music’, filled with these kids’ songs from yt channels - priceless.
Hahaha, love it! I have logged that idea away for a rainy day lol
Thank you for the share Coltin, I’m glad it resonated 🙏
Thanks for writing it! It has certainly given me a new perspective on micromanaging and is a good reminder to not blanket statement things.