ESL Podcast 320 – Micromanaging the Staff

Barry: Where are you going?

Jane: I’m checking up on Rudy. I gave him a task an hour ago and I want to make sure he’s doing it right.

Barry: You’re not micromanaging again, are you?

Jane: Of course, not. I’m only going to observe his work and make sure that he’s following the detailed¹ instructions I gave him.

Barry: That sounds like micromanaging. If you’re always looking over their shoulders, how are you ever going to develop trust with your employees?

Jane: My employees will earn my trust by being meticulous² with their work. Good employees don’t mind me monitoring their progress.

Barry: That may be true, but I heard Rudy and Jena talking and they said they’re feeling a little resentful that you don’t have more faith in their ability. They feel like you’re treating them as though they’re incompetent³.

Jane: I am not. You’re making me sound like a control freak.

Barry: I just call them like I see them. Micromanaging is a bad tactic⁴ and I can see why your employees are disgruntled.

Jane: I resent that. I have a very good working relationship with my employees.

Barry: I’m sure you do. I was just trying to help. I’m really not trying to butt⁵ in.

Jane: Fine. You manage your staff the way you think best and I’ll manage mine.

Barry: Fine by me.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

2 meticulous   

adj.极其仔细的，一丝不苟的

参考例句：

• We'll have to handle the matter with meticulous care.这事一点不能含糊。
• She is meticulous in her presentation of facts.她介绍事实十分详细。

3 incompetent   

adj.无能力的，不能胜任的

参考例句：

• He is utterly incompetent at his job.他完全不能胜任他的工作。
• He is incompetent at working with his hands.他动手能力不行。

4 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

5 butt   

n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶

参考例句：

• The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
• He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。