Article: Letting other people take charge can gradually teach you to relinquish control over time. Start small. Let a co-worker pick a restaurant you're ordering lunch from. Gradually build up to bigger tasks. For example, let a co-worker decide the agenda for a meeting at work. Play to people's strengths. If you feel the people you're putting in charge are skilled, you'll feel more comfortable letting go of control. For example, put a co-worker who's great a math in charge of budgeting for a project. Controlling people are often set off by certain situations. A great way to curb your controlling tendencies is to recognize your trigger. Figure out when you're likely to feel the need for control and avoid those situations. For example, maybe you don't do well in big group settings. You get nervous and try to micromanage what you do and where you go. Try to hang out with friends in small groups of one or two people to reduce your controlling tendencies. If you're not getting through to people, you may feel an extra urge to control. Learn to adjust your communication style between individual people. If you're able to express yourself more easily, anxiety won't bring out control freak tendencies. Pay attention to how people respond to different types of communication. If a co-worker seems upset after you give them blunt feedback, maybe they don't respond to a "tough love" approach. Adjust your communication style next time to see if you can get through to them better. Add compliments between the criticisms and encourage your co-worker to come to you and ask for help if they're ever confused. If you're reaching out to people you trust, you'll be less likely to micromanage. If an overwhelming situation is bringing out your control freak tendencies, ask your most trusted co-workers, friends, and family members for help. This way, you'll be able to step back and relinquish control more easily. Let a few trusted friends and co-workers know you're actively trying to be less controlling. Tell them you would appreciate it if they would tell you up front if you're micromanaging a situation. This way, you can learn to recognize and then adjust your behavior as needed. It's a good idea to suggest a humorous code word to use when you're being controlling. For example, they could say "bugaboo" when they feel you're behavior is too controlling. This will help you all keep the situation light.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Put someone else in charge of a situation. Recognize and avoid your triggers. Change how you communicate. Ask people you trust for help. Have people keep you in check.