The original poster (OP) of this story was an ambitious and capable professional who found himself under the scrutiny of a micromanaging supervisor, Agatha, in a government department.
New Boss in Town
In 2010, Agatha waltzed into OP’s tranquil workspace, filling it with immediate tension.
She’s a Total Controller
Despite her lack of knowledge about OP’s role, she insisted on micro-managing every aspect of his job, creating an atmosphere of unrest and stress.
OP’s Attempt to Play Nice
OP wasn’t a fan of Agatha’s personality or management style, but he tried to keep things smooth and professional.
If Only He Knew
If only he had foreseen the extent of the power play that was about to unfold, he might have pulled some strings to escape.
The Unsettling Climax
One day, a conversation with Agatha turned a significant corner. She told OP, “You need to do what I tell you to do and not what you think you need to do,” later immortalizing the words in an email.
That’s when OP’s patience started to thin.
Master of Following Orders
Inspired by Agatha’s order, OP decided to do exactly what she said – no more, no less.
Every directive was followed to a tee, every missing step highlighted with questions, and every task completed only under Agatha’s specific instruction.
The Waiting Game
OP’s dedication to Agatha’s command even extended to waiting for her return if she was absent.
It Was a Risky Game
Productivity suffered, deadlines were missed, and the reputation of their department took a hit. It was a risky game, but OP was all in.
Enter the Real Boss
Soon enough, Michelle, Agatha’s superior, took notice of the department’s downfall. A stellar leader, Michelle was keen on hands-off management and quickly noticed the difference in OP’s performance under Agatha’s control.
Revealing the Truth
When Michelle questioned OP, he spilled the beans.
Agatha’s email, the overt micromanagement, the relentless questioning – OP laid it all bare, even offering to catch up on all the lagging work if things changed.
A Satisfying Resolution
Michelle was quick to act. She freed OP from Agatha’s clutches, allowing him to work directly under her supervision. With renewed vigor and freedom, OP managed to complete the piled-up work in a mere three days.
Fall From Grace
As for Agatha, her reign of micromanagement came under severe scrutiny.
The Game Was Over
When Michelle redistributed Agatha’s workload between OP and herself, it turned out that Agatha had been passing off her own shortcomings onto OP.
Her deceit caught up with her, and she was reassigned to a lower position within the department.
The Sweet Taste of Justice
Years later, OP crossed paths with Agatha, still stuck in her demoted position and ostracized by her coworkers.
The tables had turned and OP savored the sweet taste of karma served cold. It was a clear reminder – micromanagement doesn’t pay off.
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The post Micromanagement Doesn’t Pay Off: Employee Did Every Instruction From His Boss, but His Performance Suffered first appeared on Fistful of Dollars.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Cookie Studio. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Reddit