Micromanagement: 9 signs your boss doesn’t trust you

Micromanagement feels like “support” at first — until you realize you’re being managed into silence. These signs help you identify it early.

9 signs of micromanagement

• 1. You must CC them on everything.
• 2. They rewrite your work instead of coaching.
• 3. Constant status checks with no new info.
• 4. Approval required for tiny decisions.
• 5. “Just do it my way” with no explanation.
• 6. They track hours, not outcomes.
• 7. You’re punished for initiative.
• 8. They hoard context and still blame you.
• 9. Your confidence and speed are dropping.

What to do (without making it worse)

• Get clarity in writing: ask for success criteria and decision boundaries.
• Propose a check-in cadence: replace random pings with a weekly structure.
• Document patterns: dates, examples, impact — calm, factual.
• Protect your energy: if nothing changes, plan your next move.