How to Find a Great Boss

Finding a great boss is more important than finding a great job.

Why? Because studies show bosses have a disproportionate impact on your job satisfaction, career growth, personal development, and overall engagement than just picking a random job at an impersonal firm.

McKinsey and Company, a consulting and research organization, stated in their September 2022 quarterly research report:

When it comes to employee happiness, bosses and supervisors play a bigger role than one might guess. Relationships with management are the top factor in employees’ job satisfaction, which in turn is the second most important determinant of employees’ overall well-being.

According to our analysis, only mental health is more important for overall life satisfaction. Unfortunately, research also shows that most people find their managers to be far from ideal; for example, in a recent survey, 75 percent of survey participants said that the most stressful aspect of their job was their immediate boss.

So how do you find a great boss when interviewing for a new career?

How To Find a Great Boss

Think TLC: Trust, Learn, Care

Can I trust you?

The best leaders you’ve had are ones where you can trust. Does their “yes” mean “yes”? Do they lead by example and walk the talk? If so, it looks promising for you. Ask questions related to how they build trust and how they support their team – especially during busy seasons, deadlines, and moments of competing priorities. Find people who know the hiring manager and can con firm their good character. It’s worth taking the time to do so.

Can I learn from you?

You want to continue developing your skills as a professional, and great bosses will want that for you as well. Ask about their priority around learning and development and how they will help you grow. What resources and opportunities exist for you to develop your leadership skills and not just your technical skills?

Do you care about me beyond my job description?

Great bosses care for you, not just what you do for the firm. Ask questions about work/life balance, how they build strong collaboration and ways they have supported their team in the past. Although you (and them) have a job to do, caring for people is the core of a great firm culture. Therefore, a great boss will take the time to meet with you, listen, help develop you and support your journey.

At Blue & Co., we are proud of our People-First culture and are always looking for ways to support, develop and add value to our team members.

Please let us know how we can add value to your career journey as well!