5 Traits to Look for in Your Next Boss

An interesting trend has occurred over the last few years as it relates to what’s important in a role. When candidates are weighing their options and opportunities, they often rank working for the right leader above pay. Ten years ago, this would have rarely come up in discussions with candidates. Now, especially with the millennial generation, it’s a major sticking point (and for good reason). According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace, managers account for 70% of an employee’s engagement at work.

It is important to make sure that you’ll be working for someone with the right mindset that will enable you to be successful on the job and have continuous growth.

In advance of your interview, first create a criteria list of what is important to you in a supervisor. Think back to previous leaders you have had and write down what you have enjoyed and appreciated about working with them. On the flip side, think back to previous leaders that you have worked with and didn’t work well with and write down why.

Here are 5 traits to look for in your next boss.

• Positivity: Work doesn’t always go as planned. Just like there will be good times, there will be bad times as well. Ask the hiring manager about situations that have gone wrong and how they have handled it. You will get a good sense if they go into problems with an optimistic outlook, or a finger pointing mentality.

• Empathy: Is the hiring manager fully present your interview? Does he or she listen? Do they ask you questions about your personal perspective? Are they engaged? Do they speak in terms of “we,” not “me?”

• Empowerment: They best working environment is an empowering working environment. A place where there is structure, but you have the ability be become stronger and more confident as well through your own decision making. It’s the best way to grow in your career. Ask the interviewer about how they like to manage their teams. It will give you a good sense if you have an empowering leader vs. a micro-manager.

• Communication: A leaders’ job is to educate, motivate, inform, and persuade. You can be the best at what you do, but if your boss doesn’t clearly give you goals, objectives, and criteria to meet, you will not succeed at your job. Speak to your interviewer about how they go about explaining responsibilities to their team members.

• Inspiration: An inspirational leader sets the bar high. They don’t just delegate, but they roll up their sleeves and work with the team. They lead by example and motivate every day. Ask your potential boss about how they work with their teams on projects. Do they lead from the front or the back?

The cherry on top of all of this is a good hiring manager will appreciate you asking probing questions about them and the organization.