Boss insists on redrafting emails - normal?

[Lissie2015]

I started a new job six months ago. Really like the company but am struggling massively with my boss. I have nothing against her as a person, she's great at her job but she's an intense micro manager. I have to copy her into all my emails, she insists I send her my emails so she can redraft them (these are straightforward emails to colleagues) she rubbishes most of the things I do.

We are both in senior positions as department heads. I was hired to lead on strategy and push through lots of new leads but I find this is impossible as everything gets blocked by her.

I've brought up the way she manages me with her, her boss (he picked up on the conversation I had with her) and HR. Each time her iron grip just got tighter.

Is her behaviour normal? I've only had really laid back bosses so far.

Is she busy enough?

I think there are two possible explanations here:

1. She is insecure about her own job, feels threatened, hasn't got enough of her own work to do so is trying to appropriate your job into hers.

2. You are actually not doing a good enough job and she is afraid of giving you an honest review.

Is there a third party you could ask for their view? Take along a few examples of corrected emails and ask if, in their opinion, the corrections were really necessary?

At times she is crazy busy, at times she isn't. She's the kind of person who's always working though. In early, out late, always checking and sending emails during weekends and holidays, even when not urgent.

She used to be in charge of my job until I was hired, she's just never handed it over to me.

I might speak to a colleague about it and ask for his opinion. Interestingly he's an old boss of mine and he was the one who recommended me for my role. I know he'll be totally honest.

Good idea to speak to your colleague/ old boss. (obv try not to frame it as a whinge about her!)

If she used to do your job, I think that explains a lot... she will constantly be thinking "that's not how I would do that" and perhaps forgetting there may be more than one "right way" iyswim.