The helicopter leader, manager or supervisor is one who is continually interfering with their direct reports, when not asked - constantly checking in, suggesting, fixing, educating, advising, improving, one-upping, interrogating, explaining, and otherwise "bothering" folks, when folks are not asking them for help or support.
Helicopter bosses often have some psycho-social-emotional need that prevents them from leaving others alone. Often this need in rooted in some sense of insecurity, or in a need for control and power, or a need for perfection, or even a need to be needed (i.e, seen, heard, acknowledged, appreciated, or loved). Interfering and bothering others is how they assuage one or more of these needs.
Helicopter bosses often have some psycho-social-emotional need that prevents them from leaving others alone. Often this need in rooted in some sense of insecurity, or in a need for control and power, or a need for perfection, or even a need to be needed (i.e, seen, heard, acknowledged, appreciated, or loved). Interfering and bothering others is how they assuage one or more of these needs.
Matthew "helicopter boss" Schmalz, is a fictional service manager for a mechanical contractor. Matthew calls his employees multiple times a day to tell them how their job should be done and to point out their mistakes. This makes him a definite helicopter boss.
by DEEMCol November 11, 2011