Four moves for earning more room, not a general essay on difficult bosses.
01
Over-communicate before they have to ask
Most micromanagement is an anxiety response to uncertainty. A short unprompted status update often earns you more real autonomy than asking for it directly.
02
Ask what "done well" looks like to them, specifically
Vague expectations are what micromanagers fill in with constant check-ins. Getting concrete criteria up front gives them less to hover over.
03
Give them a controlled way to feel involved
A standing fifteen minute check-in can absorb the anxiety that would otherwise show up as surprise drive-bys all week.
04
Know the difference between a bad habit and a bad fit
Some micromanagement responds to trust built over time. Some doesn't. If nothing changes after a real effort, that's information too.