Being micromanaged and visibility feedback from skip-level
I started a new role a few months ago (different industry to my previous one) and while I’m delivering and getting good feedback from peers, the management dynamic is doing my head in.
My direct manager is very “hands on” and tends to jump into meetings/threads and speak first or steer decisions, even when I’m across it. I had a calm chat about ownership and they stepped back for a while, but I’m noticing slow regressions again. It’s not always big stuff, but it’s enough that I feel like I’m constantly guarding my lane.
On top of that, my skip-level manager has made comments about wanting to see “more of me and less of my manager” and asked if I’m contributing enough in meetings, which has made me paranoid about optics. I now feel like I’m managing up to two people with different expectations.
I’m honestly exhausted. I’ve never had to work this hard just to be allowed to do my job. I want to learn and grow, but instead I’m spending energy on politics and preventing my manager from taking over.
Has anyone been in a situation like this? Is there a way to reset the dynamic without making it worse? At what point do you accept it’s just a bad fit and move on?
Keen for any perspective, especially if you’ve dealt with a “player-coach” manager who can’t let go.