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They Won’t Change — But You Can Do This

They Won’t Change — But You Can Do This

Things don't have to stay bad, this will fix it...

Justin Mecham
June 16, 2025

Hey Full Potential Zoners!

Micromanagement only tells your team one thing: "I don't trust you."

Micromanagement doesn’t just slow work down— it hurts trust and confidence.

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Being micromanaged feels frustrating - but showing you are responsible and clear helps your manager feel safe stepping back.

Micromanagement is rarely about you.

It’s usually about fear and control.

Clarity is what quiets both.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘Being Micromanaged'.

Let’s dive in!

Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email

How to Handle Micromanagement in Real Life

1. A Manager Who Keeps Rewriting Your Emails

Scenario: Every time you send a draft, your manager rewrites it word-for-word.

Skill Applied: Directness
Ask:
- “Is there a certain tone or structure you prefer? I’d love to match it moving forward.”
Say:
- “I noticed you often rewrite my drafts. I want to get closer to what you’re looking for the first time. Can you share a past example you liked?”
It shows you want to do things right their way, reducing the need for them to take over.

2. Daily Check-Ins That Interrupt Your Flow

Scenario: Your manager keeps asking for status updates, sometimes twice a day.

Skill Applied: Clarity
Propose a short update rhythm:
- “Would it help if I sent a quick summary every afternoon? That way you always know where things stand.”
Share a sample update style so they feel in control without needing to chase.
You’re removing uncertainty while protecting your deep work time.

3. You Keep Getting Feedback Before You’re Done

Scenario: Your manager jumps in to “check progress” too early, slowing you down.

Skill Applied: Resilience
Try this script:
- “I usually polish things a bit before showing them. Can I walk you through it once I hit [specific stage]?”
Then follow through — on time and with confidence.
You hold your ground, but stay polite and cooperative.

4. You Freeze Up When They Hover Behind You

Scenario: Your manager lingers while you work, and it makes you anxious or self-conscious.

Skill Applied: Composure
Stay focused on your task, but say gently:
- “I get more done when I can zone in — mind if I walk you through this once I’m finished?”
Practice calming breathing or keep a sticky note with 1–2 focus reminders nearby.
You protect your state of mind without escalating the moment.

5. You’re Asked to Explain Every Step You Take

Scenario: You’re constantly asked, “Why’d you do it this way?” — even for small decisions.

Skill Applied: Clarity + Directness
Flip the script by offering a brief walkthrough before they ask:
- “Just a heads up — I chose Option B because it solves both speed and accuracy.”
Invite them in on the thinking:
- “Let me know if there’s a part you’d do differently — always open to feedback.”
You take control of the story and reduce second-guessing before it begins.

How to Know If Your Offer Works—Before You Build Anything

This is what I recommend before you spend hours creating a product:

Don’t start with the tech. Start with a question:
“Do people actually want this?”

Most early creators skip this part and go straight into building.
But the smart move is to test the idea before you invest your time.

Here’s how to do that:

Go to creatyl.com and create your free account
Click “Storefront”, choose what product you’d like to sell and write a simple version of your offer
Describe it in 1–2 sentences:
→ I help [person] with [problem] by offering [solution]
Publish the preview and share it in your email, DMs, or social posts
Watch what happens:
– Do people click?
– Ask questions?
– Say “I need this”?

That’s early validation. If you get no response, tweak the angle or the promise—not the entire idea.

📌 You’re not looking for likes. You’re looking for signals.

Now you’re building based on real demand—not a guess.
That’s how the best offers start.

🔥 BONUS: For the next 5 people who signup, I will personally build your first offer for you (digital product, coaching, course, community, etc.) from start to finish and get everything all set up for you.

Here's how you can make it real over the next 4 days:

Day 1: Watch Yourself Without Judgment

Pick one skill or lesson from the real-life scenarios that speaks to your situation right now. It might be boundaries, directness, or staying calm — trust your gut.
Pay attention to how you react when your manager micromanages you.
- Do you freeze, get defensive, feel angry, or over-explain?
Don’t try to fix it yet. Just notice it.
Write down one moment that stood out — even just a sentence.
Awareness is the first step. Most people skip it.
AI Prompt: “Act like my personal coach. Today, I want to notice how I usually react when I’m being micromanaged. Help me spot my common patterns — like what I feel, what I say, or what I avoid. Ask me a few short questions so I can understand how I usually show up in those moments.”

Day 2: Plan a New Move

Take that moment from Day 1 and plan one better way you could respond.
- What could you say instead?
- What action could you take to stay in control or calm?
Write it down like a short script: “Next time, I’ll say…”
You’re rehearsing before the pressure hits.
AI Prompt: “Act as a calm and practical coach. Today, I want to plan a better way to respond to micromanagement — something calm, clear, and respectful. Here’s the habit I want to work on: [insert lesson, like ‘speaking up calmly’ or ‘setting a clear boundary’]. Help me write one short sentence I can say next time it happens. Then ask me one question I can think about tonight.”

Day 3: Try It Out (Small Version)

Today, test a lighter version of that script or action.
Don’t wait for a big moment. Try it in a small way — a casual comment, a quick boundary, a simple question.
Keep it short. One sentence is enough.
Real change starts with low-stakes practice.
AI Prompt: “Act like my personal coach. Today, I want to try a small version of the new response I planned yesterday — just something simple I can actually use in a low-pressure moment. Give me one idea I can try in a real moment today. Then give me one question to help me think about how it went.”

Day 4: Check What Changed

Look back and ask:
- What worked? What didn’t?
- Did they react differently? Did you feel more in control?
- What’s one thing you’d do again? What might you adjust next time?
Write a one-line takeaway.
Growth comes from reflection, not perfection.
AI Prompt: “Act as a reflection partner. Today, I want to look back at how I handled a micromanagement moment this week. Ask me a few reflection questions to help me see what worked, what didn’t, and how I might adjust next time. Keep it clear and helpful.”

The hardest part about being micromanaged isn’t control — it’s self-doubt.

When someone questions your choices constantly, it’s easy to start doing the same.

You don’t need anyone else’s permission to trust your own judgment.

You’re allowed to draw lines, speak clearly, and protect your energy.

The shift starts when you stop waiting for their trust and start giving it to yourself.

You don’t have to fix the other person. Just stay steady with what matters to you.

Even if the system never changes, you can.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin

This Week’s Growth Recommendations

Book To Read:

“The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson (see it here)

TED Talk to Watch

“Confessions of a Recovering Micromanager" by Chieh Huang (see it here)

Guide to Download:

“Create Once. Earn Forever.” My personal step-by-step plan on how I earn money as a creator and how you can too (see it here)

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