Julie Winkle Giulioni, author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Employees Want, recently shared this great summary of the difference between micromanagers and macromanagers on the Smartblog on Leadership.
| Micromanagers focus on | Macromanagers focus on |
| How: Micromanagers want to dictate how to accomplish a task. | What: Macromanagers are more concerned about the end product or what is delivered. |
| Directive: Micromanagers tend to give instructions and decrees. | Direction: Macromanagers tend to determine the destination or direction and let other figure out how to get there. |
| Procedures: Micromanagers concern themselves with regulations, processes, and other administrative issues. | Possibilities: Macromanagers focus instead on opportunities and create a compelling vision of the future. |
| Monitor: Micromanagers have mastered follow-up, ensuring that the commitments made have been delivered. | Mentor: Macromanagers focus their energy on helping others grow and develop to reach their potential. |
| Compliance: Micromanagers ensure that processes have been followed and results delivered. | Commitment: Macromanagers tap engagement and ensure a sustainable source of energy, ideas and deep connection to the organization’s mission. |
| Clearinghouse: Micromanagers serve as an orchestrator at the spoke of the wheel, accepting and funneling information where it’s required. | Collaboration: Macromanagers encourage networking and connections among group or team members to ensure strong bonds and ongoing networking to serve the organization as a whole. |
