Corporate
Craig Brown
CEO, Everest Engineering
You have talked at length about the new work
how to do it, especially by someone who knows less
model this current pandemic has compelled us
about the problem than they do.
into. Do share with us the disadvantages and the advantages of micromanagement.
The pandemic challenged a lot of bad managers; how do they show their value when all of a sudden
Micromanagement is generally a toxic behaviour
everyone is working remotely, and you can’t con-
that says more about a manager not knowing how
stantly check up on people. I hope most managers
to do their manager job than about the person doing
have found that there are better ways to add value
the actual work.
through leading, coaching and supporting team members and that people are learning to stop with
There is a time for close instruction; when you are
micromanagement.
brand new to a problem space, and you don’t know what to do you probably appreciate someone taking
What are the initiatives taken at Everest Engineering
the time to help you understand what needs to be
to build a strong social community?
done and the constraints of the situation. But while this is close attention, it isn’t really micromanage-
We are continually investing in the fabric of trans-
ment, as we all know.
national culture. We run a variety of social events, including remote ones for the people working from
Micromanagement is considered a bad term. It
home. These can include karaoke sessions, learn-
means someone telling you what to do all the time
ing to watercolour, playing music together, playing
and constantly checking up on you. People don’t
games and more. When people have been in lock-
want some manager telling them what to do and
down, we have worked hard on making space for
18 | 2021
