Managing up

[Anonymous]

I've been at the same agency for seven years but in the current position one. Boss is nice but a spaz. Constantly in my business when she has a whole other group to manage. Last two bosses were laid back, so I am used to just getting my work done and minimal oversight/interaction. Current boss is constantly calling/emailing/IMing, and I find myself spending 100% of my time to her questions and needs and not getting the actual work done. I should add that I'm a professional, not an admin. Was hoping to just wait it out a few more months and try to transfer, but I can't guarantee that will work, and it's really wearing on me. Should I voice these concerns in my review or just put on a happy face?

[Anonymous]

i've been in a similar situation and i found another job. but looking back, there are things i could have done to mitigate the micromanagement.

instead of having them constantly on your back, you could proactively overreport on things. maybe start and end every day with a point by point status report and seeking their feedback. wrap up weeks with another report on what you've done and what you will do.

also think about whether there's something that is triggering their overscrutiny of your work. what are they nervous about? is there something you can do to address it or excessively compensate to reassure them?

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks for the input. Your advice makes sense and I will try to implement it. I have to admit, though, my first reaction was "more work?" Maybe I am just lazy. I had a good thing going and now I'm in hell!

[Anonymous]

pp here again -- i'll tell you, my default reaction was to start passive aggressively NOT sharing things because i was so annoyed by my supervisor constantly being on my back about every little thing. of course, it didn't help, and only made me more bitter.

another idea might be creating a formal tracking system - maybe a spreadsheet? that outlines every major project and latest status.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I do keep a tracking system. I think I'm just feeling really fed up with this system where you can't just do a good job, bring your skills to the table, be a pleasant co-worker, and carry on ( ie get a paycheck and live your life). Like no matter how thorough I am it's not thorough enough and you can never over-document or over-think anything. I dream about going to work at a retail store or something and just kind of simplify my work life.