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How to Hold Someone Accountable Without Micromanaging

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Manage episode 519036383 series 3498933
Content provided by Colby Morris. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Colby Morris or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

You delegated the project. Now you're wondering: Should I check in without micromanaging? How do I hold people accountable without hovering?

Here's the tension every middle manager feels: You want accountability, but you don't want to be the micromanager everyone complains about.

In this episode, leadership consultant Colby Morris breaks down the critical difference between holding someone accountable and micromanaging—and shows you exactly how to check in on your team without making them feel controlled or abandoned.


What You'll Learn:

  • Why most leaders face a false choice between micromanaging and being hands-off
  • The key difference between checking in on the leader vs checking up on their work
  • Why micromanagers struggle with trust (and what's really behind it)
  • How a nervous VP became confident through accountability instead of control
  • How to use one-on-ones to create accountability without surveillance
  • The exact questions that support your team instead of suffocating them
  • Clear signs you're getting the balance right (and how to adjust when you're not)


Key Statistics:

  • 69% of employees considered changing jobs because of micromanagement, 36% actually did
  • 71% said micromanagement interfered with job performance
  • 85% said their morale was negatively impacted
  • Micromanagement is among the top 3 reasons employees resign


Featured Quote:

"It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do. We hire smart people and they tell us what to do." — Steve Jobs

Perfect for middle managers, directors, and team leaders who want to delegate effectively without either hovering over their teams or abandoning them completely.


Connect with Colby Morris

Website: nxtstepadvisors.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris

Services: Executive Coaching | Leadership Training | Keynote Speaking | Delegation & Accountability Workshops

Enjoyed this episode?

  • Subscribe to The Things Leaders Do wherever you listen to podcasts
  • Leave a 5-star review
  • Share with a leader struggling to find the balance between control and trust

Remember: Keep checking in on your people, not checking up on their work. Keep asking how you can help instead of how they're doing every task. And keep trusting the people you've developed while still being present to support them. Because those are the things that leaders do.

#Accountability #Micromanagement #LeadershipDevelopment #Delegation #MiddleManagement #PeopleFirstLeadership #OneOnOnes #LeadershipSkills

  continue reading

Chapters

1. The Accountability Dilemma (00:00:00)

2. Why Micromanaging Fails (00:00:59)

3. The Cost Of Being Hands Off (00:02:54)

4. Accountability Defined (00:03:38)

5. A VP Learns To Ask For Help (00:05:18)

6. One‑On‑Ones As A System (00:07:49)

7. Building Trust For Real Support (00:09:10)

8. Signals You’re Getting It Right (00:10:03)

9. A Weekly Action To Try (00:11:05)

10. Services, Links, And Closing (00:12:15)

111 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 519036383 series 3498933
Content provided by Colby Morris. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Colby Morris or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

You delegated the project. Now you're wondering: Should I check in without micromanaging? How do I hold people accountable without hovering?

Here's the tension every middle manager feels: You want accountability, but you don't want to be the micromanager everyone complains about.

In this episode, leadership consultant Colby Morris breaks down the critical difference between holding someone accountable and micromanaging—and shows you exactly how to check in on your team without making them feel controlled or abandoned.


What You'll Learn:

  • Why most leaders face a false choice between micromanaging and being hands-off
  • The key difference between checking in on the leader vs checking up on their work
  • Why micromanagers struggle with trust (and what's really behind it)
  • How a nervous VP became confident through accountability instead of control
  • How to use one-on-ones to create accountability without surveillance
  • The exact questions that support your team instead of suffocating them
  • Clear signs you're getting the balance right (and how to adjust when you're not)


Key Statistics:

  • 69% of employees considered changing jobs because of micromanagement, 36% actually did
  • 71% said micromanagement interfered with job performance
  • 85% said their morale was negatively impacted
  • Micromanagement is among the top 3 reasons employees resign


Featured Quote:

"It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do. We hire smart people and they tell us what to do." — Steve Jobs

Perfect for middle managers, directors, and team leaders who want to delegate effectively without either hovering over their teams or abandoning them completely.


Connect with Colby Morris

Website: nxtstepadvisors.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris

Services: Executive Coaching | Leadership Training | Keynote Speaking | Delegation & Accountability Workshops

Enjoyed this episode?

  • Subscribe to The Things Leaders Do wherever you listen to podcasts
  • Leave a 5-star review
  • Share with a leader struggling to find the balance between control and trust

Remember: Keep checking in on your people, not checking up on their work. Keep asking how you can help instead of how they're doing every task. And keep trusting the people you've developed while still being present to support them. Because those are the things that leaders do.

#Accountability #Micromanagement #LeadershipDevelopment #Delegation #MiddleManagement #PeopleFirstLeadership #OneOnOnes #LeadershipSkills

  continue reading

Chapters

1. The Accountability Dilemma (00:00:00)

2. Why Micromanaging Fails (00:00:59)

3. The Cost Of Being Hands Off (00:02:54)

4. Accountability Defined (00:03:38)

5. A VP Learns To Ask For Help (00:05:18)

6. One‑On‑Ones As A System (00:07:49)

7. Building Trust For Real Support (00:09:10)

8. Signals You’re Getting It Right (00:10:03)

9. A Weekly Action To Try (00:11:05)

10. Services, Links, And Closing (00:12:15)

111 episodes

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