micromanagement

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One Secret to Free Yourself from the Overwhelm of Leadership Work

This is the January 2025 Pragmatic Manager Newsletter, from Johanna Rothman. The Unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this email. Several of my leadership clients have this problem: they feel overwhelmed by all of their work. Here’s how one technical leader, Peter, describes his problem: “I’m in the middle of all the work. Because […]

newsletter

How to Start to Solve Problems That Appear to Have No Solution

This is the September 2024 Pragmatic Manager Newsletter, from Johanna Rothman. The Unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this email. After reading last month’s newsletter about sneaky problems that reappear, a savvy project manager, Eric, sent me this question. “My problems don’t reappear because I solved part of them. I can’t solve anything at all. 

management, MPD

When HiPPOs Use Their Power to Decide for Other People

Many agile teams and product leaders assume they can make many product decisions on their own. They do have some constraints, such as “this kind of customer” and “these kinds of problems.” However, as the teams work together and explore the product, they assume they can decide on the designs and architecture. Product leaders assume

management, MPD

Three Slightly Ranty Thoughts on “Back” to Normal

All kinds of people are talking about “back” to normal. However, I see several problems: Many of those same people think there’s a talent shortage. (Management can’t hire people  for the same salaries they used to pay.) Or, that while managers might want people “back” in the office,  not everyone wants to work in an

management, MPD

Leadership Tip #9: See & Stop Micromanagement—Learn to Trust Instead

I see too much micromanagement, even in supposedly agile organizations. Micromanagement tells people, “I don’t trust you.” When we have insufficient trust, morale and the products deteriorate. Instead, we can extend trust and keep innovating for morale and the products. This image shows a 6-person team where the leader/manager micromanages. All decisions go through that

MPD, podcast

Podcast with Joe Krebs on Agile.FM

I had a terrific time with Joe Krebs on his podcast. See Agile FM – Johanna Rothman. We spoke about a number of ideas from the Modern Management Made Easy books: How to recognize and avoid micromanagement What it might mean to engage people at work The kinds of workspaces we need Psychological safety One-on-ones

newsletter

Do You Have an Abundance or Scarcity Mindset?

Do You Have an Abundance or Scarcity Mindset? Have you met people at work who believe in zero-sum games, with one winner and one loser? “You must do my project. I don’t care about anyone else.” That you-against-me is an indication of a scarcity mindset. Some people believe in the abundance mindset where, together, we create

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