B2 – Upper Intermediate
Many managers struggle to lead effectively because they focus too much on controlling every detail of their employees’ work. This behavior, known as micromanagement, can hurt creativity, stop growth, and push good employees to leave. Leadership experts say that to build strong teams, managers need to trust their people and let them learn from experience.
To understand why micromanagement leads to failure and what great leaders do instead, watch the full video.
Vocabulary Questions
- What does “stifle” mean? “When you micromanage somebody, you stifle their creativity.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “hover over” mean? “Every time you hover over them and manage every single thing they do, they stop expressing themselves.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “push beyond one’s limitations” mean? “All growth happens when we push beyond our limitations.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think some managers micromanage their employees?
- How can micromanagement affect a team’s creativity and motivation?
- What’s the best way for a manager to help employees grow without micromanaging?
- Have you ever worked with someone who micromanaged others? How did it feel?
- What can employees do if they feel their boss is micromanaging them?