Controlling Without Micromanaging: Getting the balance right

<p>Episode #264 // I read an article in the MIT Sloan Management Review, titled<a href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-art-of-balancing-autonomy-and-control/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The Art of Balancing Autonomy and Control</a>, which outlines how to get the best results from the innovation activities your company undertakes. The moral of the story is, <em>nose in, fingers out!</em></p><br><p>This led me to think more broadly about the concept of autonomy v control, in particular how it relates to optimizing both performance and employee satisfaction.</p><br><p>If you give your people too much <em>autonomy</em>, you risk wasting a lot of effort doing the wrong things… if you exert too much <em>control</em>, you fall into the trap of micromanaging, which introduces inefficiencies and demotivates your people in the process.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I learned throughout my career that balancing autonomy and control isn’t just an esoteric discussion: understanding and executing the principle is a critical leadership imperative that will either enhance or degrade the results you achieve.</p><br><p>In this episode, I look at the fundamental trade-offs between autonomy and control; I share a little about my journey to increasing control, without becoming a micromanager; and I give some really practical tips for striking the right balance with each individual in your team.</p><br><p><strong>Source Material:&nbsp;</strong></p><br><p><em>MIT Sloan Management Review</em>:</p><p><a href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-art-of-balancing-autonomy-and-control/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Art of Balancing Autonomy and Control</em></a></p><p><em>Wikipedia </em>Entry:</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situational_leadership_theory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Situational Leadership Theory</em></a></p><p><em>Amazon </em>Book:</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-One-Minute-Manager-Manager-updated/dp/8172234996/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12GTMRTWG30TP&amp;k