Who you will be reporting to makes a huge difference to the next stage of your career.  We all spend a significant time at work and the biggest impact on our psychological and mental health will be your boss and colleagues.  The saying goes, ‘People don’t quit their jobs, they quit their boss’.  We have all had experience that highlights this either personally or through friends and colleagues.  Sometimes a disconnect is just that, a misalignment of values, or a difference of opinion, other times your boss maybe a poor leader making it challenging and difficult to do your job and succeed in the role.  Having a poor work environment can effectively damage your career and growth, if you can’t achieve, you’re not recognised, aren’t engaged or motivated or just dislike being there (leading to a drop in productivity) it will have some repercussions and a negative impact on your brand and your own self esteem.  I’ve heard it said that people engage coaches for 1 of three reasons:

 

  1. They are looking to prepare themselves for the next step or stage in their career.
  2. They have been promoted one level above their behavioural competencies and need support.
  3. They are good people working for a poor manager or leader that makes them feel ‘it’s them’.

You don’t need to take potluck, there are things you can do to get ahead of the game.  Here are 7 tips to help you investigate your future manager or leaders to ensure you better align with the role and set yourself up for the best chance of achieving.

 

  1. Research the Boss’s Background

  • LinkedIn and Social Media: Look at their LinkedIn profile to understand their career trajectory, endorsements, and recommendations. Check other social media platforms for additional insights into their personality and values.
  • Company Website and Press Releases: Often, company websites and press releases can provide information about key employees, including their accomplishments and role within the company.

 

  1. Seek Opinions from Current and Former Employees

  • Glassdoor and Similar Sites: Read reviews of the company and pay attention to mentions of specific managers.
  • Network: Use your professional network to find current or former employees of the company. Ask them directly about the person you will be reporting to.

 

  1. Assess During the Interview Process

  • Interview Questions: Ask questions that can give you insights into their management style, such as:
    • “Can you describe a time when your team faced a significant challenge and how you helped them overcome it?”
    • “How do you support your team members’ professional development?”
    • “Can you give an example of how you have advocated for your team within the organization?”
  • Behavioural Cues: Pay attention to how they interact with you and others during the interview. Do they show respect? Do they listen actively? Do they seem knowledgeable about their field?

 

  1. Look for Evidence of Servant Leadership

  • Team Achievements: Inquire about team achievements rather than individual accomplishments. Servant leaders often credit their team’s success over their own.
  • Employee Development: Ask about opportunities for training and growth. Servant leaders focus on the growth and well-being of their team members.
  • Decision-Making: Explore how decisions are made in the team. Servant leaders typically encourage collaborative decision-making and seek input from all team members.

 

  1. Evaluate Organizational Culture

  • Company Values: Check if the company’s stated values align with servant leadership principles, such as collaboration, respect, and integrity.
  • Leadership Style: Look at the overall leadership style of the organization. Companies with a strong servant leadership culture often promote these values at all levels of management.

 

  1. Request a Trial Period or Shadowing

  • Trial Period: If possible, negotiate a trial period or a project-based engagement to observe their leadership style in action.
  • Shadowing: Request to shadow them or attend a few team meetings to get a sense of their interaction with the team.

 

  1. Third-Party Verification

  • References: Ask for references specifically from people who have worked under their direct supervision.
  • Background Check Services: Use professional services to perform a background check, focusing on their employment history and any public records of their professional conduct.

 

These steps should provide a comprehensive understanding of whether your potential boss possesses the qualities of respect, expertise, exemplary behavior, and a servant leadership style.