{"id":2970,"date":"2023-01-05T15:09:24","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T07:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2970"},"modified":"2023-01-05T15:09:24","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T07:09:24","slug":"helicopter-boss-are-you-one-or-do-you-work-for-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.uk\/blog\/helicopter-boss-are-you-one-or-do-you-work-for-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Helicopter boss: Are you one or do you work for one?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve probably heard the term \u2018helicopter parent\u2019 used to describe someone who, essentially, over-parents. It should come as no surprise then that helicopter boss is a newer term used to describe a boss who micromanages. The rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements in recent years has certainly brought its fair share of challenges for managers, and not all of them respond in the most productive ways. In this Pacific Prime UK<\/a> article, we take a closer look at what it means to be a helicopter boss and how to tell if you\u2019ve become one.<\/p>\n

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What is a helicopter boss?<\/h2>\n

Anyone who\u2019s ever complained \u201cmy boss is constantly checking on me\u201d knows firsthand what it\u2019s like to work with a person who has a helicopter leadership style<\/a>. Unfortunately, many managers feel the need to watch over and constantly control their employees to ensure they\u2019re working and focused. Helicopter bosses (also known as helicopter managers) seem to have one main goal: to micromanage their team.<\/p>\n

This helicopter management style isn\u2019t restricted to in-person interactions either, as remote helicopter bosses are on the rise<\/a>. In fact, company leaders may question their teams even more when working remotely. A Harvard Business Review study revealed that 21% of remote workers felt their supervisor constantly evaluated their work<\/a>. Similarly, almost 40% of managers felt workers weren\u2019t as productive when working remotely.<\/p>\n

Leading remote teams can be difficult for some managers, especially if they already question their team\u2019s abilities or have insecurities about performance. What\u2019s more, those who are familiar with traditional tools and workspaces may find it even more challenging. Nonetheless, helicopter management styles can make work more stressful, tiring and overwhelming for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

Traits of a helicopter boss<\/h2>\n

Leaders who are helicopter managers or remote helicopter bosses tend to constantly check in on employees (i.e. through email, calls or texts) and overwhelm staff with unnecessary meetings (both virtual and in-person) – to name a few. Whether it\u2019s relaying excessive instructions or asking for regular updates, helicopter bosses often leave their workers feeling unproductive, unmotivated and disconnected. Over time, teams can become dysfunctional and divided, ultimately affecting the organisation as a whole.<\/p>\n

Micromanaging often boils down to trust. When you micromanage someone, you probably believe that you cannot trust them to perform properly without your input or presence. Employees can feel this distrust and may end up losing self-confidence as a result. Either way, micromanaging your team is a surefire way to decrease employee morale and creativity, as well as hinder productivity and growth.<\/p>\n

Are you a helicopter boss?<\/h3>\n

Now that you\u2019re aware of what a helicopter boss is<\/a>, you may be wondering if you\u2019re guilty of this leadership style. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to find out.<\/p>\n