After re-watching The Devil Wears Prada and then seeing the sequel, Miranda Priestly reminds me of how challenging it can be to work for a toxic boss. Granted, Miranda became a tad more tolerable 20 years later, but most of us can’t wait that long for our bosses to tune into what we need to grow and thrive.
Turns out bad bosses are everywhere and seem to be multiplying. According to Glassdoor, mentions of “toxic boss” have surged nearly 7x since 2018. Over 70% of workers say they’ve quit a job because of a toxic boss, reinforcing it as the top reason for workforce turnover. As leadership gurus Marcus Buckingham and John Maxwell have often said, “People leave people, not companies.”
Most people aren’t in a position to leave a job without a new one. And leaving one bad boss only to land another is dismaying. So, in my latest book, UP!, I wanted to help readers know how to land a great boss.
Here’s an excerpt:
Sometimes what you do is not as important as who you do it with.
A great boss cares about you as an individual, exposes you to bigger and better opportunities, invests in your growth, gives constructive feedback, and advocates for your upward mobility. A great boss is another disproportionate contributor to fit. If you have one, you may (wisely) overlook other aspects of fit that are lacking.
A great boss exposes you to their network, includes you in meetings that you might otherwise not have been invited to, gives you stretch assignments, generously shares their knowledge, and guides your career path. They teach you how the business operates and makes money. They provide glowing endorsements or referrals and bring you along as they move up or move on.
Why would your boss do all of these things? It’s good for them, too. They want to lead a strong team they can trust and grow. With a strong team, they can have a greater impact in their own role in the organization. It’s also rewarding for a great boss to see their team flourish.
You may have had your share of not-so-great bosses. These people often have had little leadership training, are in a job that’s too big for their skillset, or lack time for or interest in team building. They usually don’t see their job as helping you to be successful because you work for them. As a result, they won’t mentor you, provide useful feedback, or advocate on your behalf. And they are one of the top reasons people leave their jobs. The upside is that they provide an unforgettable portrait of who you don’t want to work for or become!
When you accept a new job with a new organization, fate usually determines whether you land a good boss. If your new boss is great, you hit the jackpot. Seriously. But if they’re not great, you’re going to feel it. And when you do, you will certainly wonder whether this job is a good fit for you. If you discover your new boss is really horrible, you might be tempted to look for another job immediately. But heading for the exit isn’t your only option. You may not have a great boss now, but there may be great bosses elsewhere in your organization. You just need to know how to spot a great boss, then find a way to work with them. Here’s how:
Observe. Identify the leaders in your organization who:
- Are respected by others, especially their team
- Acknowledge other people’s contributions
- Invite diverse perspectives to be heard
- Are dynamic and inspiring
- Navigate conflict well
- Advocate for their team
- Have a life outside of work
Get closer. Get to know one or more of these leaders by:
- Requesting to work on a project with which they’re involved
- Attending their presentations, speeches, or office hours
- Responding to their digital posts on LinkedIn or on the organization’s intranet
- Asking them to meet for coffee to learn about their career journey and share your interest in working with them
Take action. At the first opportunity, apply for an open role on their team. If you score an interview, be prepared with thoughtful questions to assess if they’d be a great boss for you:
- What value motivates you most each day?
- How do you help your team members grow professionally?
- What’s your approach to team conflict?
- How do you handle mistakes on your team?
- What success metrics do you use for your team?
- How do you approach work-life balance?
- How do you give and seek feedback?
- How do you celebrate team wins?
Pay attention. Good questions reveal a lot; however, there is no foolproof way to know if someone will be a great boss until you work together. Notable red flags to watch out for when you’re getting to know them or interviewing with them might be. If they:
- Speak negatively about current or past employees
- Spend most of the time talking about themselves
- Don’t acknowledge the contributions of team members
- Don’t seem to enjoy the people part of being a manager
- Seem disinterested in your career aspirations
- Give vague or curt answers
A great boss will be an asset to you today and shape the trajectory of your career for years to come. Their commitment to your growth will compress years of learning into months for you. They will inspire you to perform at the highest level and advocate for your advancement. Don’t leave this to chance. Start observing leaders in your organization today, get to know the ones who impress you, and position yourself to work with people like them. Your career will thank you.
Think about it
Who do you admire in your current (or another) organization who could be a great boss?
Make a move
Write a compelling email to this potential great boss to introduce yourself and request a brief meeting to get acquainted and share your interest in working with them in the future.
Hello [Name],
I’m [Your Name] from [Your Department]. I’ve been following your work on [specific project] and admire how you’ve [specific leadership quality you’ve observed].
I’m always looking to learn from strong leaders in our organization. Would you have 15 minutes for a quick coffee to discuss your career journey and share insights about [relevant topic]?
I’m flexible with timing and happy to meet at your convenience.
Thanks for your consideration,
[Your Name]
[Contact info]
If you enjoyed this type of practical, step-by-step guidance, you will enjoy reading UP! Grab a copy and leave a review at Amazon or wherever you buy your books. And email [email protected] a picture of your receipt for exclusive bonuses!
You’re equipt to land a great boss.
