Some managers believe that some people just have to be micromanaged.
That is one of the biggest lies you will ever tell yourself. I used to believe that lie too. Until one day I realized...I had a great team that had been let down, crapped on and undervalued. You may inherit a team that has been micromanaged for the last 5 or 10 years. That is what they are used to. They got comfortable with it and it’s easier for them to just do what they are told then to cause a stir by expressing their ideas or wanting to be heard about what is important to them. So they sit quietly, and you think they “need micromanaged.” They don’t. Let me tell you why.
When they applied, they were motivated. When they were training…they were trying. When they made their first anniversary at the company…they cared about what they were doing. If they didn’t and you kept them employed anyway, well..then you’re to blame. But if I am correct, and they did NOT always need micromanaging then you need to ask yourself what changed since they came on board. Because most likely, something certainly has.
Start having conversations. Recognize your team is not just a team. They are people with lives, families, hobbies, and interests outside of work that may often pull them away from work. Instead of beating yourself up looking at the stats, trying to balance the numbers, help them balance their lives. Make sure you know what is going on so that you can give them the proper support they deserve. Check out this article: http://www.businessinsider.com/team-building-getting-the-message-across-without-micromanaging-2012-5
But…you still the need numbers, right? Otherwise you’re held accountable and you look like you’re failing as a lead. That is where you get creative! Gamify everything. Decide what stats you need to improve on and develop games around those numbers. Once you start putting competition on the table, human nature kicks in, and gets the party started.
As with anything, I am merely a pawn offering advice I wish I had been given prior to becoming a new leader years ago. I will tell you though..the numbers...when they are rocking things..that's great, but nothing beats the feeling of leading a team you know trusts you, looks up to you, and respects you. Put that ahead of anything else because it holds more value than any number on a spreadsheet could ever account for.
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