Is Micro-Managing Ever Necessary?

I don't know that I would say micro-managing is necessary in some environments but I do believe there are some situations that call for it. Micro-managing, as a tool, is more often than not a negative way of managing. When you manage in this way you take away the opportunity for those you are managing to grow into their abilities and you may also miss out on an opportunity to learn from someone else. In this sense I think there are a couple situations where micro-managing can be useful. Micro-management can be used as an instructional tool to teach others how to perform their duties to a higher level of competency. This can also be a useful in training new employees on the ins and outs of the organization.

The responsibility of the manager is to know when enough is enough and the micro-management can stop. If you step back to quickly you risk letting some step out on their own who is not ready. In contrast, if you hold on too long you may frustrate those who feel they can do it without someone always looking over their shoulder. Balance of styles and effective use is the key.