By Dr. Mohammed K. Yusuf
Let’s be honest. If you’re still trying to lead today’s team with a 2005 management playbook… You’re going to lose them. Especially if they’re under 30.
Because Gen Z and Millennial professionals don’t just want a paycheck. They want purpose, autonomy, and proof that their work matters.
At IMTLY, my entire inside sales team in Nigeria is under 30. They’re smart, capable, and deeply committed. But they will not tolerate being micromanaged. And I don’t blame them.
Why micromanagement fails the modern team:
- It kills creativity
- It slows decision-making
- It signals distrust
- And most importantly… it erodes motivation
Micromanagement isn’t about leadership. It’s about control driven by fear — fear that if we let go, performance will drop.
But here’s what I’ve learned: When you equip, coach, and trust younger talent, performance rises.
So what’s my approach?
I lead with Emotional Intelligence + Guidance Intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) means I listen before I direct.
Guidance Intelligence means I don’t handhold — I build frameworks, then give my team space to move.
I teach them:
- How to run a call, not just follow a script
- How to qualify leads using NEPQ, not just go down a checklist
- How to manage their day like a pro — because autonomy is a muscle
Results?
✅ Faster ramp-up
✅ More appointments booked
✅ Higher rep retention
✅ Better culture
✅ And reps who grow into leaders — not just stay followers
And that’s the part most people miss: Micromanagement doesn’t just block productivity. It blocks leadership development.
You can’t create future managers if they never learn to think independently.
If you’re a leader today, here’s my challenge to you:
Stop asking:
“How do I get my team to do more?”
Start asking:
“What have I built that allows them to operate without me watching?”
That’s the shift. That’s modern leadership. And frankly, that’s how you win the respect of this new generation of talent.
If you’re managing Gen Zs — and you’re still hovering, correcting, and second-guessing… You’re not leading. You’re leaking potential.
Build a structure. Coach with clarity. Then get out of the way.
By Dr. Mohammed K. Yusuf