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You don’t want to be a micromanager. But if every meeting, decision and deadline needs you, could you be getting in your team’s way?

We’ve talked a lot on Loud & Lifted about dealing with bad bosses. This time, we’re flipping the conversation: how do you make sure you aren’t becoming one?

Betsy sits down with team management expert and author of The New Manager Playbook, Lia Garvin, to unpack the habits that can quietly undermine your team—even when you’re trying to be helpful. From sitting in every meeting to holding onto work your best people are ready to take on, Lia shares three signs of micromanaging and what to do instead.

Whether you’re managing people for the first time or have been leading for years, this conversation offers practical ways to delegate, set clear expectations and build trust without being involved in everything. Because being great at your job and helping other people succeed are two different skills.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognize three signs you’re micromanaging without realizing it.
• How to help your team make decisions instead of waiting for your approval.
• How to give high performers meaningful opportunities so they see a future on your team.
• How to create a shared sense of urgency with clear deadlines, context and ownership.
• How to use one-on-ones to understand and develop your people—not just collect updates.

Chapters

00:00 How to Avoid Becoming a Bad Boss

02:16 Why Good Employees Aren’t Automatically Good Managers

08:15 Three Signs You Might Be Micromanaging

10:29 Sign 1: You’re in Every Meeting

12:42 Sign 2: You Make Every Decision

14:25 Sign 3: You’re Holding Back Your High Performers

18:12 How Micromanaging Limits Your Own Career

19:57 What Kind of Manager Do You Want to Be?

23:50 “I Don’t Want to Micromanage, But…”

26:11 How to Create Urgency Without Chasing Your Team

28:42 Who’s Actually Accountable?

29:22 Why Clear Communication Takes More Than an Email

33:08 Are Your One-on-Ones Just Checking a Box?

34:11 Where to Start Becoming a Better Manager

37:28 Connect with Lia Garvin

38:05 One Management Habit to Change This Week

About Lia

Lia Garvin is a team management consultant, speaker and author of The New Manager Playbook. Her experience includes leading team operations at Google, Microsoft and Apple, and she hosts the Managing Made Simple podcast.

Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/

Book: https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/