15 Things a True Leader Won’t Micromanage
Great Leadership Skills
In the evolving landscape of leadership, a key trait that sets effective leaders apart from the rest is their ability to trust their team members. True leaders understand that their role is not to control every aspect of their team’s work but to empower them to achieve results. Leaders bring out the best in someone, guiding them even when the individual themselves may not see their own potential. The image highlights 15 aspects of work that a true leader won’t micromanage, focusing instead on the bigger picture.
Side Hustles
True leaders respect that employees may have pursuits outside of work that enrich their lives. Leaders will not get in the way of their employee's goals and may even support them through conversation or action.
Hours Worked
They recognize that productivity isn’t solely defined by the number of hours clocked but by the output quality. Giving employees flexibility in doing their work additionally provides a sense of autonomy that amplifies employee work performance.
Punctuality
Being a few minutes late now and then isn’t the end of the world; it’s consistency and reliability that matter. Of course, standards are set for a reason, but if the overall code of ethics is upheld and the work is done properly, it’s safe to say the employee respects the company.
Taking Time Off
Whether it’s a day off during the week or a midday doctor’s appointment, employers trust their team to manage their schedules effectively. Provide your employees with quality work time, and they will respect that time when they must prioritize their own.
Breaks
Leaders understand that breaks are necessary for maintaining productivity and creativity. Studies have shown that periodic breaks from work effectively lead to higher-quality work output.
Handling Minor Mistakes
They know that minor mistakes are learning opportunities rather than reasons for criticism. It should be noted that what is evident to one person is not apparent to another. Correcting a mistake is an opportunity for both parties to grow.
Work Location
Whether remote or in-office, what matters is the work being done. When free agency is given and a worker can choose to work away from the office, this builds the worker’s sense of freedom and, in turn, promotes their well-being.
Tools and Technology
Leaders allow flexibility in choosing the tools that best suit individual workflows. A strong leader knows there are multiple ways to accomplish a task, and what works well for one employee may differ greatly from the next.
Time Management
Trusting employees to manage their time reflects a leader’s confidence in their ability to deliver. An excellent tip for leaders is to contact their team briefly by direct messaging rather than adding unnecessary deadlines for providing information that can be exchanged in a 20-minute Zoom call.
Absence Due to Emergencies
Life happens. Leaders understand that emergencies can’t be scheduled. The advice here is to go with the flow and ensure your team member is okay.
Communication
They don’t micromanage who employees talk to and how often, trusting them to build effective relationships. Strong leaders know that an energized, communicative employee will direct their communications aligned with the company’s mission.
After-Hours Availability
Leaders respect personal time and don’t expect 24/7 availability. Inversely, leaders are not always available either, and this fact should build up a sense of empathy that gives their team breathing room.
Dress Code
As long as employees maintain professionalism, the specifics of their dress aren’t a concern. Professionality comes with its own etiquette. Let employees appraise that term for themselves.
Workspace Organization
They trust that employees know how to organize their space in a way that works for them. As a leader, you can help by offering additional resources and suggestions for constructing their space but try to refrain from interfering with how they organize it themselves.
Getting the Job Done
Ultimately, a true leader focuses on results and is open to unique solutions. If the work is done and done well, they won’t nitpick how it was achieved.
How to be a Lead
As long as the work gets done, a true leader will allow their team the freedom and autonomy to manage their work and lives in a way that best suits them. Employees like to feel independent and capable on their own terms, and great leaders will train them to do exactly this. This approach fosters trust and promotes creativity, efficiency, and a healthy work-life balance, ultimately leading to a more motivated and productive team.
