Daily work diaries and stealth screen monitoring are just some of the micro-managing tactics that can drive down morale. As columnist Jerry Osteryoung recently wrote:

Micro-managing damages morale and productivity because it belittles staff, making them feel like they are not valued and are not contributing to the organization.

How do you keep micromanagers from driving you crazy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.  You’re bound to encounter a few micromanagers over the course of your career, and since it's difficult to change them, you either need to develop coping skills or change jobs frequently. Here's some tips to help you deal with them.

Understand Their Motives

Is your boss being pressured by senior management? Or, is he so obsessed with control that he has to be involved in every detail? Understanding the reasons for his behavior will help you react in a way that eases his anxiety.

Build Trust by Making and Keeping Agreements

Agree on the scope of work without diving into the minutia, and then provide scheduled updates. That will help your boss feel in control and relieve her anxiety. Plus, she'll probably turn her attention to other “unruly” co-workers.

Anticipate and Document

There’s no getting around it. Archive every note, email and spreadsheet, and keep the micromanager at bay by proactively submitting reports before the due date.

Ask for Permission to Work Autonomously

Though some experts insist that you shouldn’t ask micromanagers for greater leeway, if you’re meeting or exceeding expectations, and if you’ve done what they've asked and earned their trust, then there’s nothing wrong with asking to take the reigns of a project when the time is right.