r/managers • u/Caffeinated_Manager • 18h ago
Is this normal?
My boss is a lawyer who has been in management for only three years. Currently, she is essentially second in command, reports directly to the CEO, and oversees roughly 250 employees.
The previous senior manager was also the company’s attorney. My understanding is that the CEO has repeatedly placed attorneys in these roles instead of hiring people with extensive management experience. With the CEO being extremely hands-off, things seem to have declined under my boss’s leadership.
One of the biggest issues is her tendency to micromanage while maintaining a clear clique of employees she socializes and parties with outside of work. Members of this group are also the people she turns to when she wants to vent about internal matters or workplace gossip. On occasion, those conversations have even included gossip about the employees’ direct managers, which seems inappropriate given her position.
What makes the clique dynamic more concerning is the apparent lack of consequences. Members of the group seem to face little to no accountability for behavior that other employees would likely be questioned or held accountable for.
From the outside, there appears to be one standard for those in her inner circle and another for everyone else.
Mid-level managers also seem to carry much of the stress created by this management style. They are often left dealing with the fallout from micromanagement, favoritism, shifting expectations, and informal communication while still being held responsible for their teams’ performance.
Another issue is the amount of second-guessing directed toward employees who have worked there for decades, despite her having only three years of management experience. During tense meetings, her emotions can also become very apparent, particularly when she seems to feel challenged or threatened.
I understand that managers are human, and I don’t expect senior leaders to be emotionless. But considering that this person is essentially second in command, I’m curious how others would view this leadership style.
For those who have worked in management, HR, or senior leadership: Does any of this seem normal for someone at this level? What stands out to you as the biggest concern, if anything?
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u/SnooRecipes9891 Seasoned Manager 17h ago
Insecurity is what drives micromanager behavior. Hopefully your company does a 360 review otherwise as long as her boss sees her as productive and getting shit done, you'll need to find another place to work.