UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT IN ANIMAL SHELTERS
Andrea Montaño Hernandez, MVZ
Delegation vs Micromanaging
A Manager Decision Guide
DELEGATION VS MICROMANAGING
As a manager, your role is not to do the work,
it is to ensure the work gets done through others
Delegation
builds trust, growth, and efficiency
Micromanaging
creates control, stress, and poor performance
DELEGATION
(Effective Leadership)
Assign tasks based on team strengths
Focus on outcomes, not how tasks are done
Provide clear expectations and goals
Allow autonomy and decision-making
Use delegation to develop team skills
MICROMANAGING
(Ineffective Leadership)
Control every step of the process
Constantly monitor work
Focus on small details instead of outcomes
Limit team independence and growth
WHY MICROMANAGING HAPPENDS
Lack of trust
Fear of losing control
Belief that “only I can do it right.”
WHAT YOU WILL DO AS A MANAGER
1. Shift Your Mindset
Focus on outcomes, not control.
Value team growth over perfection
2. Delegate with Clarity
Define the goal
Assign clear responsibility
3. Let Go of Control
Avoid constant monitoring
Allow autonomy in how work is completed
4. Follow Up, Don’t Take Over
Set check-ins
Support without removing ownership
5. Focus on Results
Evaluate outcomes.
Reinforce learning and improvement
If you micromanage, you limit your team.
If you delegate, you build trust, efficiency, and performance.
REFERENCES
Indeed Editorial Team. (2022, June 24). 21 traits of a micromanager. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/traits-of-a-micromanager
Knapek, C., & Forbes Coaches Council. (2022, May 11). How to master the art of delegation.
Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2022/05/11/how-to-master-the-art-of-delegation/