Towards effective management in psychiatry-mental health nursing: The dangers and consequences of micromanagement

Nurses encounter many challenges in their everyday workplace, and effective management practices and leadership are crucial. Within a culture of performivity some managers may be inclined to micromanage to achieve targets, but this management practice is problematic and has a number of consequence including, but not limited to poor staff morale, reduced creativity, decreased innovation, impeded productivity, limited professional development opportunities and attrition of staff. This article provides an introduction for nurses to micromanagement, and then provides some discussion points for consideration and some strategies to work more effectively with micromanagers.