People Don’t Leave Companies – They Leave People

This must mean that there are a high proportion of unsuitable bosses.  So here are a few questions that you might like to consider on your next job interview to prevent getting a lousy boss.

1.  How long have you been in your current position?

2. What were you doing before?

3. What qualifications do you have in leadership or management?

4. What would you say is your main strength that makes you a good manager?

5. How do you manage your work – life balance?

6. When one of your direct reports makes a mistake, what do you do?

7. Do your direct reports trust you?  Why?

8. Do they respect you?  Why?

9. Do you consider yourself a good communicator?

10. Do you have references from your colleagues and direct reports?

11. Do you prefer to communicate via email or the spoken word?

12. What track record do you have for keeping good people?

13. Have you been trained in motivational management?

14. What is your biggest weakness?

15. Do your direct reports appraise you yearly?

16. What hobbies and interests do you have?

So, how about this as the approach to interviewing your prospective new boss?

“Mr/Mrs/Ms whatever.....you obviously want to try to eliminate taking on the wrong person.  I also don’t want to take a job with an unsuitable boss.  We both know the consequences, in either situation the candidate eventually leaves and apart from being miserable this is a very expensive exercise.  So I am sure you don’t mind me finding out a little bit about you!”

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