Help me with some feedback to give micromanaging boss

[WorkDilemmaEmma]

I've been in my job for 3 years, I know it well and have always received great feedback. I think I have a good reputation in my department.

In June my previous manager was promoted and I got a new manager. She is nice-ish but is driving me mad with her level of micromanagement and her general approach to work. She tries to dictate what I do, talks over me in 1:1s and asks me to run everything past her despite being in this role for 3 years and knowing it like the back of my hand. All my previous managers have always given me great feedback, and trusted me to just get on and deliver so I've never had to deal with this level of micromanagement and I'm finding it suffocating and stressful.

I think part of the problem is the speed she works at, she expects everything to be done at the speed of light, despite when it's not an urgent task. She also has a habit of sending me 10-15 emails/messages a day asking various questions, making suggestions of things I should do, checking where I have got to with various tasks etc. It's driving me mad!

I thought it might just be her settling into her new role (it was a promotion for her too) but there's been no improvement. I clearly need to speak to her and give her feedback. Please help me word what to say!!

Honestly....I wouldn't, unless I was specifically asked to give feedback.

I'm sorry to have to tell you but in my experience these types of managers rarely change. They are in constant panic mode and don't trust anyone to do as good a job as they would. You could try pulling together a summary of everything you've achieved in the role plus some statements from those people who have told you you've done a good job and explain that you want to support her but you're struggling with her way of working because it suggests she doesn't trust you.

She might see it as a threat though, depends on her personality.

Nothing you say will be taken well. I would not bother. Sorry

Oh no! This is really not what I wanted to hear :( but sadly I think I know deep down it would be the case. I just hate people who moan about things and never take action so felt it only fair to let her know she is stressing me out.

She (says she) is happy with my performance and what I have delivered. My 'development' is that I need to better 'anticipate tasks', whatever that means

What a strange development "goal" for you to somehow achieve - is she clutching at straws?
How will this be measured I wonder...

I thought that, the way she worded it almost made it sound as though she expects me to mind read. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought she meant more anticipating stakeholder needs, which is fair. But on reflection, she seems to want the moon on a stick.

I found out recently that she has an awful reputation across the business, she's had recent feedback about her style being too demanding and harsh. I've come to the conclusion she is just a real slave driver, not much fun for me :(

expects everything to be done at the speed of light, despite when it's not an urgent task

Do you have any more senior contacts within the organisation who could reliably let you know whether she has been tasked with increasing the pace and productivity of your department /team?

This info would let you know what level of support she is likely to have.

If it turns out to be none, then you can cheerfully ignore. Chances are she will leave again pretty soon. Ignoring if it turns out that she has a brief to implement change would not be a wise decision.

The fact that staff are asking g this will likewise either strengthen or undermine her position. Good luck.

Sorry @WorkDilemmaEmma posted before I read your update.

My advice stands, if there is already negative feedback about her style then yes, do add to that.

If you phrase feedback as how you feel, no one can ever really disagree because you are the ultimate authority on how you feel.

She may be satisfied by your performance but you can share that you do not feel that you are considered to be doing a good job because you always feel as if you should be working faster, smarter etc.

Even if she can't response to that by changing her style, it would be good to have your feelings on record.

Good luck.

You’ve hit the nail on the head there, thank you! I have had good feedback from her but it never feels enough. She always seems to be pushing for ‘more’. A few weeks/months I could cope with but no one can maintain her standards long term, I feel like I will burn out.

I could have written this. I'm taking a passive response. Can you run everything past me? Yes no problem! Ignore.
Then I send her a massive huge detailed update containing every thought I've ever had.

@WorkDilemmaEmma

Hope you find a way to share that exact feedback and that it contributes to some real change. Good luck.