Micromanagement Is a Psychological Disorder

Micromanagement is a trauma response of people driven by power and control. Because trust requires giving in, and some people are not ready for it. The hyper-controlling nature at work, and everything needs to be a certain way, is not systematic; it is how they like it. We as employees are always dealing with such people around us. God forbid you get a micromanaging manager; you are one escalation from getting fired. You would rather jump off a cliff than have your weekly one-on-one with them.

Then comes the unsolicited nepo baby of the office, the favourite. This person has no business chopping your life off, but they will not disappoint. They will make sure you feel no better. You would consider farming as a profession rather than dealing with this person.

I am convinced that treating people badly has nothing to do with work: it has something to do with your unresolved issues. The workplace is a place of people, by people and for people, and if these people are not treated well, then who would. I am not saying work should feel like a picnic; it is unrealistic, but it sure should not feel like prison. They talk about companies as they talk about men, not every man but always a man. What are the odds that at least one company will not be controlling? Slim to none.

Yes, workplaces do have certain expectations you need to reach to grow. But we are all adults here; the sense of trust should come naturally, instead of mothering us. Mind you, I do not mean mothering in a nurturing and wholesome way, but it is more like a toxic stepmom kind of way. When you downgrade your subordinates while having little authority over them does not make you a leader; it makes you a fascist. And we all know how that turned out. I pity the Germans.

The medieval times showed us how cruel slavery is, and I thought we were putting it behind us. But no, slavery comes repackaged with pretty-sounding corporate jargon. I wish these regressive people existed in the past because they sure belong there.

Corporate is no fun; it will always suck to be a part of it. But do not further ruin what is already ruined. Managers need to understand that defining expectations will not ruin your employees’ performance. But it will make them feel confident about their work. But there are managers, despite what you do, they are never satisfied, and you are never where they want you to be. Oh no! Why am I not where you want me to be? It is you because you never talk straight.

Ugh! I feel like I am talking to an emotionally unavailable boyfriend.

Regardless of the relationship, whether it is a boyfriend or a manager, the unresolved trauma will always have a negative impact. Dealing with people with control is no different. Because no matter whatever you do, you are never good enough. Because you are not fawning over these authoritative figures.

I always thought we all love to be loved by people, but a majority of these dorks want to pump fear into us. Because this is how they operate in life. As no one takes them seriously in their life, they trauma dump at work. They feed their ego, thinking they are important. Momentarily.

Sadly, corporate rewards these power-hungry monsters. They are always applauded for sucking the will to live out of you. Can you snap back? No, because that makes you too dramatic, and you cannot take feedback.

Yes, the corporate ladder is real, and we all need to go through it. This is a dirty business that demands us to throw our pride away and become a minion. The stakes are too high, and I am sure it will guarantee fat pay and a promotion. But will that make us happy? Or are we so desperate to find success that we put happiness out of the equation?

As they say, you do not learn how to swim by reading about water all day.