She Didn't Mean To Micromanage
She didn't set out to hover over her team's every move. She set out to make sure nothing slipped. To catch mistakes before they became blame. To double-check what hadn't been said. To protect both the quality of the work and the people doing it.
But somewhere along the way, what began as care turned into control.
The more pressure mounted, the more she tightened her grip. Not because she didn't trust her team, but because she didn't feel trusted herself.
The Myth Of Micromanagement
Micromanaging is often labelled as a personality flaw. "They're just controlling". "That's just who they are".
But here's the truth: micromanaging isn't a personality trait. It's an anxiety response.
It's the nervous system saying: "If I don't control this, everything will slip".
Why This Matters
When we reduce micromanagement to a character flaw, we miss the root. We try to "fix" the behaviour without addressing the fear underneath.
And the fear is real. Fear of being blamed. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of letting others down.
That fear doesn't disappear with delegation tips. It softens when leaders feel safe.
Safety Before Strategy
That's why, in our coaching work, we don't start with delegation frameworks. We start with safety.
Because only when a leader feels safe in themselves, in their role, in their team, can they loosen their grip. Only then can trust flow in both directions.
And when that happens? Micromanagement fades, not because the leader "tried harder", but because they no longer need to hold everything alone.
The Cost Of Misunderstanding Micromanagement
For ambitious emerging leaders, this myth is particularly dangerous. Because when you feel the urge to micromanage, it's easy to shame yourself. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this".
But micromanaging doesn't mean you're broken. It means your nervous system is overwhelmed. And overwhelmed systems don't need blame. They need support.
My Gentle Invitation
If you've found yourself hovering, checking, or carrying more than you meant to, pause before you call it a flaw.
Micromanaging isn't who you are. It's how your system is responding to pressure. And like any response, it can shift, with awareness, practice, and support.
At Foresight, our coaching programs help leaders work at this level. Not just with strategies, but with the deeper shifts that create safety, trust, and sustainable presence.
Because when a leader feels safe, they don't need to control everything. They can finally lead like themselves.
Want to receive our latest blog posts directly to your mailbox?
