Peter’s boss in the movie is Bill Lumbergh, played by Gary Cole. Despite his position as Division Vice President, Lumbergh seems to have nothing better to do than walk around the office with his coffee mug, checking to see if Peter has finished “the TPS reports.” Lumbergh’s unexpected interruptions not only distract Peter, but also add to his frustration with the company.
It is common for small business owners to want to oversee every aspect of their companies, but there is a fine line between overseeing and micromanaging. Studies have shown that people actually perform at lower levels when monitored (or even just think they’re being watched).
Micromanaging can be a hard habit to break, but you must have faith in your employees. Instead of checking in every step of the way, set up weekly or daily meetings with employees to discuss individual goals and progress. Additionally, make sure your employees know they can approach you with questions without the fear of an overbearing answer.