GeorgeCopeland (2/4/2013)
Great comments on this thread. I have had clients who put my desk right in front of theirs so they could watch what I do over my shoulder. That does not bother me in the least. In such a case, I take the task list, put my headphones on, and proceed to overload them with completed work. Pretty soon, they can't have me out of their offices fast enough.
Excellent George, just excellent.
One thing I thought about adding earlier is that the one way to break a micromanager is to overload them with things to manage. If I just do what is requested and then go ask what is next, and ask again every time till the list is exhausted, while the entire time you keep asking about things on their plate and needs you will have if they want to know certain things the load becomes too large for them to manage. You can expedite this by asking for work at the very granular level. And also as you produce the required results the trust builds, and since they are getting overworked the first ones they will let loose are those who are producing and can be trusted.
And I also wear headphones most of the time. Works great!
Not all gray hairs are Dinosaurs!