Posted on May 13, 2015
Is micromanagement a result of increasing technology or human nature?
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is technology increasing the likelihood of micromanagement? If so, what checks does a leader need to utilize to prevent this?
http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/05/new-battle-command-network-offers-unprecedented-micromanagement/
http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/05/new-battle-command-network-offers-unprecedented-micromanagement/
Leadership
Technology
Humor
Mission Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
CPT (Join to see)
Although they have some good stories from time to time. SGT Richard H.
Platoon Idiot Charged With Larceny In Oxygen Theft
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The platoon idiot for India Co., 2nd Platoon, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines has been arrested and charged with grand larceny after he was allegedly found to be stealing oxygen from government property, sources confirmed Tuesday. “This is the most serious case of thievery we’ve ever encountered,” said Col. David Sawyer, a …
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PO2 Steven Erickson
CPT (Join to see)
Sir... with NO disrespected intended, I've come to the inescapable conclusion that your TS3RT meter is in dire need of calibration.
The TS3RT meter is a God-Given internal organ that quickly and unerringly identifies things you see or hear as completely made of crap. The TS3RT ("That's Some Stupid Shit Right There") meter is prone to failure on the low end of the TSFSRT scale ("That's Some Funny Shit Right There"). This error is more common with humans with highly-organized and precisely constrained mental processes. Like officers. 7:^D
The only way to get your TS3RT recalibrated is to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by Monty Python and the Meaning of Life, and finally, Space Balls. Hopefully, at some point in the cycle, your TS3RT meter will break free. You'll know this happens when you stop saying "That's Some Stupid Shit Right There" and start saying "That's Some Funny Shit Right There." Blazing Saddles sometimes works, too.
If this process fails, I suggest a long, in-depth conversation with either Captain Morgan or Senor Patron while sitting in a Wal-Mart parking lot on Saturday afternoon.
Please note, sir, that I did NOT say "In all due respect" at the beginning of this rant, because we all know that whoever says that means exactly the opposite.
Good luck, LT. I hope to read some really stupid (and funny) stuff from you in the near future.
SGT Richard H.
Sir... with NO disrespected intended, I've come to the inescapable conclusion that your TS3RT meter is in dire need of calibration.
The TS3RT meter is a God-Given internal organ that quickly and unerringly identifies things you see or hear as completely made of crap. The TS3RT ("That's Some Stupid Shit Right There") meter is prone to failure on the low end of the TSFSRT scale ("That's Some Funny Shit Right There"). This error is more common with humans with highly-organized and precisely constrained mental processes. Like officers. 7:^D
The only way to get your TS3RT recalibrated is to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by Monty Python and the Meaning of Life, and finally, Space Balls. Hopefully, at some point in the cycle, your TS3RT meter will break free. You'll know this happens when you stop saying "That's Some Stupid Shit Right There" and start saying "That's Some Funny Shit Right There." Blazing Saddles sometimes works, too.
If this process fails, I suggest a long, in-depth conversation with either Captain Morgan or Senor Patron while sitting in a Wal-Mart parking lot on Saturday afternoon.
Please note, sir, that I did NOT say "In all due respect" at the beginning of this rant, because we all know that whoever says that means exactly the opposite.
Good luck, LT. I hope to read some really stupid (and funny) stuff from you in the near future.
SGT Richard H.
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I think micromanagement is a symptom of the Zero Defects mentality and risk averse culture we've adopted. Leaders get so concerned about maintaining their careers they lose sight of what their role actually is.
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Well, CH (COL) Geoff Bailey DID post this in humor, so I'm sure he understands what the Duffel Blog is all about!
With that said, definitely human nature. Increasing technology I believe actually results in less micromanagement. I work in IT, and the higher ups usually only have a basic understanding of what I do, so they generally leave me alone for the most part. As long as I'm doing my job and keeping the customer satisfied, so are they.
With that said, definitely human nature. Increasing technology I believe actually results in less micromanagement. I work in IT, and the higher ups usually only have a basic understanding of what I do, so they generally leave me alone for the most part. As long as I'm doing my job and keeping the customer satisfied, so are they.
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SSgt Terry P.
PO1 John Miller I agree with you,John,it is human nature to make sure everything is right when it is your responsibility,but as a leader one should trust those he has to do their job.If they can't do it,retrain or replace them.
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I think it stems from zero-defect mentality. Promotion is highly competitive so seniors that delegate tasks have an understandable concern that any one mistake will not be tolerated and may adversely impact their career, so they have to supervise almost in excess to survive. In an ideal situation the guy in the middle develops confidence in subordinates that they delegate to, provided their senior has more tolerance for minor mistakes. Once everyone in this chain gains confidence with those above and below them the level of supervision ideally balances out. Until that is achieved, the level of supervision remains high. It can be tricky but it often stems from seniors expecting and allowing juniors to make small mistakes and learn from them. If someone works for a senior that is intolerant to the learning curve then it rolls downhill accordingly due to the human nature of survival.
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CPT (Join to see), Even though it is satire, usually there is always some truth and in this case I would say technology could promote micromanagement.
The Small Wars Journal posted an article here on RallyPoint that discusses this topic to an extent.
The Small Wars Journal posted an article here on RallyPoint that discusses this topic to an extent.
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CH Bailey...read Outliers by Malcom Gladwell regarding how micromanagement leads to toxic orgs. In my experience, micromanagement is the result of insecure people with disproportionate needs for "control". Ironically, such people also tend to have less self control, and therefore focus too much time and energy on controlling others as a way to stabilize themselves. They also tend to require too many "meetings" and "briefings" rather than manage by walking around --the mountain must come to Mecca. The domino effects are adverse, because they affect morale and productivity. I have a presentation on Innovators, Caretakers, and Undertakers that covers this topic.
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1SG Michael Blount
SGM (Join to see) - it's my unfortunate privilege to have a micromanaging Commander. This is his first command, and it's of a Drill Sergeant unit. Yah, he's insecure with an outsized need for 'control'. Worst thing the Army did was to put him in that billet. Speaking of which - if you have an open E8 billet in your shop, please keep me in mind.
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1SG Michael Blount
SGM (Join to see) - please tell me where, so I can start a 4651. Either ship his ass out or mine - either way - but my Soldiers shouldn't have to pay the price.
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