Even though Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky and Steve Jobs praise micromanagers, a new survey ranks them as among the most annoying coworkers
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky and the late co-founder Steve Jobs may sing the praises of hands-on leaders (also referred to as such). However, most workers have a vastly different moniker for those who hover over them: “nightmare coworkers.”
A survey of nearly 3,000 workers by career platform Kickresume revealed that the majority of employees have at least one extremely irritating colleague—and micromanagers land right near the top of the list.
While Chesky contended that Jobs demonstrated that being “attentive to details” can actually be a boon for top talent—more akin to collaborating than monitoring. He proposed that the right type of obsessive boss can expedite decisions, raise standards, and propel a rising star’s career.
For the typical worker, however, that’s not how micromanagement is experienced.
“It’s difficult to feel competent and motivated when someone is constantly second-guessing your every action,” the report cautioned. “Such oversight frequently gives rise to resentment and can severely impact productivity.
That’s why more than a third of respondents identified micromanagers as the most intolerable in the workplace.
These are the 5 traits workers say are the worst
Ultimately, Kickresume research discovered that 85% of employees have dealt with an irritating colleague—with micromanagers being edged out (by just 1%) by coworkers who steal their limelight for the title of the worst person to share an office with.
- Credit thief. When you put in the hard work, yet someone else takes the credit. Researchers state it undermines team spirit and creates a climate where people feel undervalued and uneasy sharing their creative ideas.
- Micromanager. Undermines self-assurance and can result in resentment and decreased productivity.
- Chronic whiner. “Their constant negativity can be contagious, spreading gloom and reducing overall morale,” the report states.
- Personal space invader. Loitering around desks or eavesdropping on private conversations makes the workplace feel intrusive and disrupts workers’ sense of privacy and comfort.
- Lunch thief. This is more than trivial high-school behavior to be dismissed. “The lunch thief doesn’t just take your meal, they steal your trust and peace of mind,” the report warns. “This inconsiderate conduct compels everyone to be more cautious, fostering an atmosphere of suspicion and frustration.”
The hidden toll of micromanagers, credit stealers and other ‘coworkers from hell’
Irritating colleagues aren’t merely an office jest—they alter how people approach work. Nearly 60% of workers in Kickresume’s survey stated that difficult coworkers substantially undermine their , whether by derailing their focus, wasting time, or compelling them to overanalyze every interaction.
Micromanagers, in particular, erode autonomy, making competent adults feel like they’re always under scrutiny rather than being trusted to do their jobs
It’s therefore not surprising that many employees’ initial reaction is to withdraw. Around a third say they deal with it by completely keeping their distance from annoying colleagues, rather than confronting the issue directly.
That may maintain short-term peace, but it also fuels a more fragmented workplace, where people collaborate less, share fewer ideas, and silently avoid the very relationships that are meant to strengthen teams.
But ultimately, workers can only tolerate so much. Steal people’s ideas, hover over their shoulders, loiter around their desks too many times, and it quickly backfires.
One in ten will badmouth you to their coworkers, quietly eroding your reputation and influence. Meanwhile, 12% will go straight to the top (or, if not, to HR) to report you. And a staggering 41% are devising ways to end your career for good, including getting you fired.