Anonymous
08/15/2013 09:04
Subject: Re:Dealing with a micromanaging but clueless CEO
Ugh, micromanagers really make life miserable. I am under one right now myself. It is a little bit similar in the sense that she is the President of the company, so she's it. No one above her to influence her (though in your case there is a board). For me, that means getting out. There is not a lot of opportunity to "manage up" because like your CEO, she is not open to suggestions and seems to get offended by them.
My boss is so involved in the main project that I am on that I recently, as the leader of that project, instituted a weekly meeting to update her on our progress. It hasn't instantly discouraged her from checking-in more often (daily) but that is the goal overtime.
Can you set up a less frequent meeting with her (maybe every two weeks)? How long has she been in the job? It does take time to develop trust, but good managers know that micromanaging isn't the way.
My boss is so involved in the main project that I am on that I recently, as the leader of that project, instituted a weekly meeting to update her on our progress. It hasn't instantly discouraged her from checking-in more often (daily) but that is the goal overtime.
Can you set up a less frequent meeting with her (maybe every two weeks)? How long has she been in the job? It does take time to develop trust, but good managers know that micromanaging isn't the way.
Anonymous
08/14/2013 22:02
Subject: Dealing with a micromanaging but clueless CEO
(And by micromanaging, I mean, for example, that senior staff, who produce outstanding results far above goals, must submit a weekly detailed report on all ongoing projects, then defend the report in a weekly two-hour meeting with her. Things like that-- no latitude, no trust of proven senior employees.)
Anonymous
08/14/2013 21:58
Subject: Dealing with a micromanaging but clueless CEO
My boss, CEO of a nonprofit organization, has strongly held opinions about fundraising, marketing and communications. Unfortunately, this is her first CEO gig and she has no previous work experience in these areas. So, for example, she is passionately devoted to our organization "launching" a walkathon as a major part of our fundraising strategy, though we are in no way structured to do so.
She is the most stubborn person I've ever met and will not accept the counsel of her senior staff who have expertise in these areas.
She's pretty new to the job, but I report directly to her, so every day is an interesting new batch of craziness. I loved working here until our Board hired her.
I'm struggling with whether to try to wait it out and hope she gets canned, or to try to figure out a way to "manage up" and improve things. Any advice on how to deal with her? It is extremely frustrating.
She is the most stubborn person I've ever met and will not accept the counsel of her senior staff who have expertise in these areas.
She's pretty new to the job, but I report directly to her, so every day is an interesting new batch of craziness. I loved working here until our Board hired her.
I'm struggling with whether to try to wait it out and hope she gets canned, or to try to figure out a way to "manage up" and improve things. Any advice on how to deal with her? It is extremely frustrating.