I'm a 24-year-old Quality Assurance engineer in a Minnesota based medical devices company. I graduated from a top-notch engineering school with honors. My question has to do with my boss, who micro-manages constantly. He checks my work frequently and sometimes challenges the approach I am taking. He sends my reports back to me with multiple suggestions for changes. In the past six months, two engineers have left because of this individual's management style. The people in R&D and manufacturing have been very complimentary about my work and I really believe that I am a good engineer. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

You have every right to be concerned. As difficult as this situation is, it is not uncommon. Managers, particularly when they are novices, often find comfort in retreating to the work they are familiar with at the expense of managing. An R&D director recently described to me the trap of being too task-focused, There are several challenges I encountered in my transition to a senior management role. The first was learning to separate myself from the detailed work. I learned very quickly that it was impossible for me to know all of the detail all of the time. I had to learn to work through others and trust them. Your boss needs to learn this lesson and focus on managing. Unfortunately, if your boss doesn't, he could make your life miserable. My advice is as follows:

• Talk to Your Boss

  Make an appointment with your manager and explain that you enjoy the work but that his close supervision is making things difficult for you. Suggest that you meet every few weeks to go over your assignments instead of the daily contact. Ask him if he is willing to be less involved in your work except for these review meetings.

• Take It To The Next Level

  If he rejects your suggestions, and you decide to stay with the company, talk to his manager. Let the next level of management know that you like the company and your work, but that your boss' style is interfering with your effectiveness and job satisfaction. Ask if it is possible to transfer to another department. Do this only if you believe that the senior manager will give you a fair hearing. If his or her style is similar to your manager's, then don't waste your time. If this problem can't be corrected in three to six months, then strongly consider going to another company.

At this stage of your career, you should be growing at a rapid rate. Working for a micro-manager will erode your confidence and eventually your capability. If this manager does not change, then all of the best and brightest employees will leave. His reputation will spread and he will only be able to recruit people who submit to his dysfunctional style. You deserve better! Give your manager and his boss a chance to turn things around. If they are not responsive, then head for greener pastures.