Stress From Being Micromanaged
What do you do about stress from feeling like you are being micromanaged about every aspect of your course? Being watched all of the time stresses me especially when the people watching all of the time make mistakes and tell you that you are not doing something correctly and you really are, or tell you that you are not doing something that they did not tell you that you needed to do.
I agree. Just because you're lucky to be working doesn't mean that you shouldn't stand up for yourself if you believe the conditions you are teaching under are being made unnecessarily difficult. I always try to make suggestions for improvements and point out when expectations are unfair, because I feel that even if what I say is unappreciated because I'm "only" an adjunct, I feel better contributing what I think will improve my working conditions rather than complaining about it outside of the school.
I think that you need to feel confident in what you are doing and how you are doing it. If you are uncertain about something just ask. When you know you are doing things correctly you will worry less about who is watching you.
Micromanament is not constructive for the person being evaluated. It should be that points should be addressed effectively and a plan should be give to the person that need to change behavior but to continuously be watching the person does not bring effective results.
Yes, when we are watched too closely, we can sometimes even make more errors than in a normal situation. Micromanagement does not always help and can hurt too.
I agree it is very stressful when you think you are being micromanaged at work so as any mistake will result in being repromanded by your leader.
Yes, micromanagement can be hard for some instructors David - especially those who have an independent working style. Other instructors really need the attention and guidance. Understanding who needs what can be a big help when managing people and / or working in teams.
These are some great thoughts Davey - and so true. The age we live in does produce new and complex task demands. When technology creates greater expectations for our productivity, it does not always make life easier.
I agree David. When you look at all of the new commitments we have with the electronic grade book, the workload of the new grading system, the meet and greet, dress code enforcement, success factors, quarterly training, meetings, new course set up and revisions, inventories, students who really don't want to be here, and what to do to motivate them, it is very stressful. Management is micromanaging us, but in todays economic climate we are lucky to be working. This is the 21st century and everybody has to do more with less and like it. Sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day to get it all done. I think that the micromanagement comes from the top down. Just do what I do. Do the best you possibly can and hope that it is enough. If you give 100% it will be. Keep up the good work.
being micro managed is stressful ,your having to watch your p and q's and tread lightly cause their watching your every move
I agree wholeheartedly. I am a program director who always gets high marks in my classes and wouldn't be in my position if I didn't know how to teach. I seem to have someone watching me day to day and it drives me nuts. I could understand if it was some new instructor looking for help, this I would welcome but it is the administration checking out what I am doing. They seem to have no idea how much disruption they cause. When I evaluate I only go in at break times and I explain to the teacher what I am doing. I then spend time with them at their convenience explaining what I saw and making suggestions about improvements. If they need help with technology for instance I help them use it!
being micromanaged by an incompetent supervisor for several years caused me to leave a good paying job. the unfortunate thing about it was the manager above this person told me that it was known he was incompetent but the company was not addressing the problem. This was an extremely stressful situtation for many people.
I can relate to you. It seems like sometimes on a daily basis someone is popping into the classroom for an "observation" It seems like they are just looking for something to call you out on. I have been in career education for over 10 years now. I am not a rookie. I know the ropes. I always receive high marks on students evaluations. I retain my students at high levels. I get results. If i was a rookie, I could understand the constant watching, but I am not. It actually irritates me to be constantly under the microscope.
I use to have to deal with this situation in a previous job and it was horrible. You've got people who want to control every aspect of your job but won't invest the time required. You're the person in the trenches day in and day out and you should be the one to control the your area of responsibility.
Thanks Susan,
Seems like the world revolves around those who do not do it correctly lately. Instead of rewarding behavior, being reprimanded for others' behavior seems to be the norm.
Stacy
Stacy: I am going to assume that you are teaching in an online venue as I answer this question. I have taught in an online environment for 4 years now, and I have found the changes interesting. During my first year of teaching, I was thrown out there with minimal supervision. At that time, I would have appreciated some feedback because I am certain that there were more efficient ways to do a lot of the things I was doing. Now 4 years later, one of the schools is attempting to micromanage the teachers. We get emails about all sorts of things. I would like to think that they are doing this to enhance the overall quality of the work of all of the teachers. Unfortunately, it is more likely that they are doing this because a few teachers are not doing a good job, so all of us must suffer. My best advice to you is to take a deep breath, make the changes that are being suggested, document the changes and the requests, and do not take it personally.
