oh no, a micro-manager...AIBU to write back a cheeky response....

[justhereforthecraic]

My boss emailed my team this morning and requested the location of a document. Easily sorted, My colleague kindly emailed her back with the document attached as she had used it recently. My boss then asked if this could be "re-jigged" to include one more item ( which she listed). I like creative tasks so I replied saying i would happily play around with it to which all agreed. My colleague was delighted for it to be out of her hands as she was busy dealing with an emergency so thanked me for helping!

I did as requested by my boss and even made the document more "user-friendly". My colleagues all replied back when I sent it to them and agreed it was perfect and we moved on with our day. Our little team is usually good at coming together on tasks like this and we like to get things signed off quickly.

However, I've just had an email from my boss saying she has made a few small amendments to the document. I went into look at it and I barely recognize the document. She deleted 80% of what I had written and added in her ideas. I really want to respond and say, WOW where is the document I created and why did you bother agreeing to me doing it and then changing it ?!?!?! but that's not professional...

AIBU to write something back....if so what could I say that would get the point across without being rude or cheeky or should I just say nothing and move on with my day.

YABU, say nothing! She's the boss and while this is super annoying there is nothing to be gained from commenting on it.

Correcting poor work is not micro managing

She’s your boss.

is is possible you actually didn’t do a very good job at all?

Get over yourself. You drafted something, she finalised it. No micro-managing there, just normal practice.

Oh I get it is frustrating but ultimately it’s her decision. Deep breath, accept the changes and when (if) others complain change it back :)

YANBU in your sentiment, however...give her enough rope.

If she wanted the whole thing changing why did she only request that one thing be added? I can appreciate your frustration OP but I wouldn’t respond, just let it go.

It really is up to her. Maybe you misunderstood the brief, it wasn't her style, she had a firm view, whatever. It's your job, you're paid to do it, suck it up.

If she had stood over you while you typed it and checked every 5 minutes, that would be micromanaging.

If you wanted to learn from this, ask for some constructive feedback, but only if you really want it.

Grow up ffs!

This isn't micro management. When I was a new line manager I spent a lot of time making 'minor amends' that were actually complete redrafts because I wasn't great at performance management or confronting my line reports about shoddy work.

Could you say something like, “I noticed there were lots of changes to the document from the draft I shared - it would be good to get some feedback on your thinking for next time?” I would be totally fine with that as a manager. If it’s a bad relationship though I’d just leave it. I used to have a boss who would correct my grammar incorrectly. He was way out of his depth and couldn’t say anything of substance but wanted to feel like he’d red-penned stuff. I just used to change it back and then move on.

This isn't micro management. Your boss just didn't think what you'd done was good enough so redid it.

Ask if she wouldn’t mind giving you
some feedback - it’s possible either your work didn’t fit the brief or she’s a controlling nightmare (I’ve seen many examples of both!) but you won’t know unless you ask.

Yeah it's her gig so what she says goes. She's e just being outwardly polite but you both know what she really means...

Xpost with @MiddleParking - do exactly that!

ok lots of mixed reaction. I should have been more clear. Maybe micro-management wasn't the correct words to use. However, she has become very controlling. I myself am a line-manager and I would offer constructive criticism if my team did something the wrong way. I dont think the document was done wrong as my other colleauges agreed on it. I just dont think it was done the way she wanted it done.

Don't say anything just remember for next time.

I had manager like this.
"Pothos, can you write paragraph about this for mailing out"
Sure, wrote it.. she returned COMPLETELY different text with absolutely nothing left of mine. I asked the same question (inner voice!) about why would she ask me to do something if she redoes it anyway. It happend 4 times. Then I frankly, just started playing everything into her corner so she did what she wanted and I just finalised it 🤷🏻

Very demotivational tbh

Your colleagues thought it was "perfect", your line manager didn't and changed it appropriately.
If 80% of what you thought was OK actually wasn't though, then you should ask for help on how to bring your work up to the standard required.

@MiddleParking @OxPeg i have just done that, THanks! we have an ok relationship. Im not afraid to ask questions but I just couldn't find the write away of saying it so thank you both. :)

It's the last sentence. Mine used to have very clear idea what she wants except that she wasn't able to communicate it so just delegated and completely change things. Waste of everyone's time.
Never had that issue with anyone else.

@PAFMO yeah i agree, i have just done that!

My boss is similar. Tells me to do something, I do it according to his instructions and my best judgement where the instructions are vague, which is often. And then he does it all himself anyway- even the bits where I did it exactly how he told me to. I see this as a positive opportunity. In future, instead of ‘going the extra mile’, you now know that there’s little point as it won’t be appreciated. So just do the minimum of what you’re asked. That’s what I did, anyway.

Think of all the future time and effort you and your team have now saved.

@Pothoswithasparkle that's it exactly. She loves to be in control of everything. Jumps in on tasks that aren't even on her radar. I just laughed when she said I had made some small changes. The whole bloody document was nearly gone!! Its just a waste of time for all involved. She should have been clear on what she wanted from the document as its always good to have guidance. She should have replied with a few suggestions on what she wanted to change and i would have added them in. I don't mind been asked to change what i had done but there is a way of doing that.

Yup. Minimum or bat it back to them somehow.

It is a shame because it does take away bit of motivation and learning imho. Though you learn different lessons I guess.

@DomesticShortHair 100%! my colleague has just phoned me and pretty much said the same thing. we have agreed NO MORE! Ill do my own stuff and if she wants tasksdone, i wont be jumping as quick.