There’s an old saying that says, “Employees leave managers, not companies”. According to researchers at Hogan Assessments, this adage still rings true: their 2014 survey of over 300 professionals around the world shows that around 75% of employees’ credit bad bosses as one of the biggest factors in their decision to leave a company.
While the survey did cite other factors – toxic workmates, a working environment that doesn’t foster growth, among others – bad bosses top the list. This is because an effective manager should be able to create working conditions that are ideal for their employees. Unfortunately, many managers forget the “management” part of their job description and focus on being a “boss.” This attitude leads to higher employee turnover rates, inefficiency in fulfilling performance quotas, and general dissatisfaction.
This, of course, doesn’t mean that there aren’t any good bosses out there. One of the best ways to avoid being employed by an inefficient manager is to identify key personality markers during your initial interview.
While there are many personality traits to look out for when choosing your next employer, here are some factors to consider:
Passion
A passionate boss is someone who can motivate their employees to be excited about their job, someone who is willing to mentor and care for the employees in their charge.
A good boss should be passionate about their work. During the interview process, don’t be afraid to ask your prospective employer what they love about the job. A good boss should be able to enumerate all the things that make their job and their company worth working for.
Responsibility
With great passion comes great responsibility. If a boss is invested in their work, they will take steps to be as involved in the success of their projects. A good boss knows that leadership and great management skills are crucial in driving their team to peak performance. Because of this, responsible bosses mold employees who become highly skilled at their job.
Ask your future boss about their current and existing projects. A good boss knows when to give and take credit: success belongs to the team, failure belongs to them. Your future employer should not be afraid to tell you about their shortcomings, and how they can improve their performance, moving forward.
Professionalism
Did the interviewer make you wait while they reviewed your résumé? Were they appropriately dressed? Was their tone friendly, casual, or rude? Ask yourselves these things after an interview, as these are good indicators of whether your future employer is a person you would enjoy working with.
Good bosses exude professionalism; they should inspire constant business etiquette in everything they do and say. During your interview, observe how your potential boss speaks, dresses, and acts. A true professional treats everyone, from applicant to employee, with the same levels of courtesy and respect.
While a less than ideal boss isn’t necessarily a reflection of the company, in general, it is a possibility worth considering. If a company does not recognize how inefficient their managers are, then it’s safe to say that there may also be something amiss with the company, as a whole. Perhaps this is a company that does not invest in their employees or does not take the time to find out what is going on in each department.
Finding a good boss not only creates a sense of well-being and satisfaction in your job, it also empowers you to grow beyond your current skill set. Good bosses have the ability to motivate, to manage, and to lead employees toward becoming the best that they can be.
Truelogic is a company that cares about its employees, which is why we carefully screen and vet all our potential managers. We take pride in hiring leaders and innovators, mentors and educators. Contact us today, and we’ll show you what a good boss and a great working environment looks like.
