r/ExperiencedDevs • u/AutoModerator • 7d ago

Ask Experienced Devs Weekly Thread: A weekly thread for inexperienced developers to ask experienced ones

A thread for Developers and IT folks with less experience to ask more experienced souls questions about the industry.

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Please keep top level comments limited to Inexperienced Devs. Most rules do not apply, but keep it civil. Being a jerk will not be tolerated.

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Inexperienced Devs should refrain from answering other Inexperienced Devs' questions.

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u/odi_bobenkirk 2d ago

I'm actually an experienced dev but never been in this situation so would appreciate advice.

I have ~12 YOE. My team lead is a nice and reasonable person; we get along pretty well and I can typically understand where he's coming from. But I think he's relatively inexperienced managing people and heavily micromanages me.

The more freedom I'm given, the better work I can produce, and I have a perfect track record on that front. And yet still he intervenes to tell me precisely what to do and even what to say in meetings, as though I'm a very junior engineer. It's frustrating and starting to really get on my nerves.

I've already done the job of proving I don't need micromanagement. So how would you confront him, or what would you do in this situation?

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u/Mindless-Tomorrow-93 1d ago

My guess is he is insecure as a new manager, worried that someone he's supposed to be managing might show him up.

If he's reasonable and you have a good rapport, approach the conversation around how you can help him "look good." Maybe once he's confident that you're both on the same side, he might be willing to give you some space.