You have a chance to ask your soon-to-be manager questions in the interview, but you can’t exactly say, “Are you going to be a good manager?” However, you should be on the lookout for what leadership qualities this person possesses. After all, according to a Gallup poll, three of every four employees who leave do so because of factors their manager can influence.
If you want to avoid being forced to quit because you can’t tolerate your manager for another minute, make sure you can spot these leadership qualities before you accept the job.
Decisiveness
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to follow instructions from someone who is wavering about what to do next. You should not only have the confidence about how you should proceed but you should be able to commit to it – that’s how much you need to be able to trust your manager. We have so much data in this digital age but that doesn’t mean overanalyzing every little decision. That often leads to paralysis and lack of innovation.
Supportive
If your manager won’t go to bat for you, don’t walk away… run! Your manager should stand up for you and your work to other department heads and executives. If your work isn’t worthy of their support, then they should give you feedback and guidance before it becomes a greater issue. What you don’t want is a manager who will throw you under the bus when they come under fire.
Inspiring
We all have career aspirations, and you should find a manager who will not only support your dreams but motivate you to achieve them. It’s likely not in their job description to encourage you to push yourself past your current role’s tasks and responsibilities but having someone in your corner certainly will help you accomplish your goals. Pro tip: Even if your manager is inspiring, consider securing a mentor who can be additional support for your professional ambitions.
Empathy
Part of emotional intelligence (EQ) is having empathy for others. Empathy goes beyond understanding or even sympathy – to being able to put yourself in someone else’s situation and experience what they are feeling. While it may not be a requirement that your manager cares about you on a personal level, it will contribute to your wellbeing, motivation and satisfaction at work.
Fairness
This is self-explanatory. You don’t want to be treated unfairly at work. Your manager shouldn’t show a preference for coworkers or have performance expectations that were never clearly defined and explained. While equality is a basic attribute and should be an expectation, it can be especially difficult to keep in check when managing a large team. If it’s a question of discrimination, be sure your report it immediately.
Adaptable
The business landscape is continually evolving, especially in this technologically driven world. And companies are seeing the value of being agile in their operations. Your manager should be adaptable to the market’s changes too. Someone who gets stressed out when priorities shift will project this onto their team. You don’t need that!
Honesty
You want a manager who will be truthful about any news – big or small. Honest feedback is of utmost importance so you can continue to learn and grow. Sugarcoating a performance review doesn’t do any good – for anyone. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions so it’s clear you’re keen on knowing the truth. And build a trustworthy relationship by keeping your word when it’s appropriate; honesty is a two-way street.
Self-Awareness
You should want your manager to be self-aware because this is the only guarantee you have for them making improvements to their management style. A good manager will know their weaknesses, admit them and work toward improving them. It’s hard to relate to someone who can’t take an objective look at themselves. It may make you feel guarded, which will erode your (hopefully) open relationship.
Humble
Someone who has clocked time doing your job and risen through the ranks will inherently be more empathic to any professional challenges you may face. When your manager exhibits humble behavior, it contributes to a feeling of “being in it together.” Humility is one of the more elusive attributes in managers. It’s a fine balance in leadership because humility can often be perceived as indecisiveness, submissiveness or passiveness. It takes confidence and courage for a manager to act humbly.
Positivity
According to a study conducted by The Alternative Board, respondents reported “positivity” was the most important trait a leader can possess. An optimistic approach will make work more enjoyable for you. And it makes your manager more resilient to any negativity that infiltrates a business (read: downsizing, pressure, rejection, stress, failure, bad publicity), which helps you remain focused.
