How To Choose A Good Boss – 15 Criteria

Differentiating from a good boss to a bad boss is not always easy. But how to choose a good boss is all made easy by our advanced research and tips.

There are a few qualities that make a good boss. And there are certain things they avoid and never do.

15 Ways To Choose A Good Boss

There are many domains in which you can find a good boss. You might have a good boss in your current organization. Or they may be the one who gave you the first job.

It is not tough to find a good boss. But it is essential to spend some time on this research as your career and peace of mind will depend on it to a great extent.

Here are some tips that will help you find a good boss.

1. Set Some Criteria:

Certain qualities make a good boss. You need to set some criteria before you start your search. This will help you find the right person quickly.

The qualities of a good boss include:

– They should be knowledgeable and experienced.

– Also, they should be able to give clear instructions.

– They should be patient and understand your problems.

– Moreover, they should be able to trust you and your abilities.

– They should be supportive and help you grow professionally.

2. Check The Boss’s Track Record:

You can get an idea about the boss by checking his track record. It will give you a clear idea about how they have performed in the past.

You can check the boss’s performance by reading reviews. Or you can talk to people who have worked with him in the past.

For instance, if you are looking for a startup job, you can check the reviews of the boss on Glassdoor.

Or, if you are already working in an organization, talk to colleagues who have worked with the boss in the past.

Ask them questions like –

– How was their experience working with the boss?

– Was the boss supportive?

– Did the boss give credit where it was due?

– Did the boss help in career growth?

3. Their Delegation Skills:

A good boss should know how to delegate tasks. They should be able to assign tasks according to the skill set of their team members.

A good boss should also provide adequate guidance to their team members. They should be available whenever their team members need help.

For instance, you are looking for a sales job. Check what type of sales training boss provides to his team members.

Also, see if the boss is available for help when his team members are working on a deal.

4. The Boss’s Ability to Motivate:

A good boss should be able to motivate his team members. He should be able to give them the right encouragement.

A good boss should also provide adequate recognition for good work. This will help in employee retention.

An excellent way to gauge the motivation skills of the boss is to talk to his team members.

Also, see if the boss has retained good employees in his team.

For instance, ask questions like :

– Does the boss provide adequate recognition for good work?

– Or does the boss give timely feedback?

– Does the boss provide an opportunity for career growth?

5. Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional intelligence is one of the essential qualities of a good boss. A good boss should be able to understand and control his emotions.

He should be able to understand the emotions of his team members. And he should be able to provide emotional support to his team when needed.

An excellent way to gauge the emotional intelligence of the boss is to talk to his team members.

Ask them how the boss reacts under challenging situations. Also, see if the boss can provide emotional support to his team.

For instance, do they take an interest in the personal life of their team members?

Do they provide support when team members are going through a tough time?

6. The Boss’s Integrity:

Integrity is one of the essential qualities of a good boss. A boss with integrity will always do the right thing. He will be honest and transparent in his dealings.

A boss with integrity will also be fair. He will treat all his team members equally.

A boss with integrity will also have the courage to make tough decisions.

You can check if the boss has been involved in any controversies. Or you can talk to his team members and see if they have any complaints against him.

The complaints could be about anything – from favoritism to not doing the right thing.

7. Their Vision:

A vision of a boss and the company’s vision should be well aligned. A good boss should have a clear idea of the company.

He should be able to articulate it to his team. And he should be working towards achieving it.

Have a detailed discussion with the boss about the company’s vision. Also, see if the boss is taking concrete steps to achieve the vision.

For instance, if the company’s vision is to be the leader in the industry. Then see what steps the boss is taking to achieve that.

Are they investing in research and development? Are they expanding their customer base?

8. Their Problem-Solving Skills:

A good boss should be able to solve problems quickly. He should have a systematic approach to problem-solving.

And he should be able to make decisions quickly. And he should maintain transparency while making decisions.

A good way to check the problem-solving skills of the boss is to see how he reacts to challenging situations.

For instance, do they take input from their team before deciding?

Do they involve their team in problem-solving? How effective are their solutions?

9. Boss’s Communication Skills:

His leadership skills show a lot about how a boss communicates with his team. A good boss should be able to communicate effectively.

They should be able to convey the message clearly and concisely. A good boss should also be a good listener.

They should be able to understand the point of view of their team members.

An excellent way to gauge the communication skills of the boss is to have a conversation with him.

Also, see if he is open to hearing different points of view.

10. Mannerism & Work Ethic:

Is the boss well-mannered? Does he have a good work ethic? These might seem like small things.

But they say a lot about the boss. A boss with good manners is someone respectful. He will respect the time and effort of his team members.

And he will also respect the company’s resources. A boss with a good work ethic is all committed to his work.

He will be punctual and put in extra effort to complete the work.

You can observe the boss see if he has good manners. And you can talk to his team members to see if they have any complaints about his work ethic.

11. The Boss’s Management Style:

Different bosses have different management styles. There is no right or wrong management style.

But it is essential to know the boss’s management style before you take the job.

The boss’s management style will impact how he runs the team. It will also affect the working environment of the group.

Choose a boss whose management style is compatible with your working style.

For instance, if you like to work in a team, you should choose a boss who believes in teamwork.

If you like to take the initiative, you should choose a boss who encourages creativity.

12. Do They Strive For Excellence?

A good boss should always strive for excellence. He should be committed to his work, and he should be passionate about it.

He should also be able to inspire his team to do their best. And he should be able to provide the resources and support that his team needs to excel.

You can observe the boss see if he is always striving for excellence.

Also, talk to his team members to see if they are motivated and inspired by him.

13. Are They Approachable?

Every boss should be approachable. This means that their team should feel comfortable talking to them.

The boss should be able to create an open and friendly environment. And he should be able to address the concerns of his team members.

You can talk to the boss’s team members to see if they feel comfortable talking to him.

Also, see if the boss is open to hearing different points of view. For instance, does he encourage his team to give suggestions?

Is he okay with disagreement? How does he react when someone disagrees with him?

14. Do They Respect Confidentiality?

A good boss should be able to respect confidentiality. This means that he should not share confidential information with anyone.

He should be able to keep secrets, and he should not gossip. You can talk to the boss’s team members to see if they feel their information is safe with him.

Also, see if the boss has ever leaked confidential information in the past.

For instance, has he ever shared information about a member with someone outside the team?

15. Do They Take Responsibility For Their Actions?

The Boss did something that negatively affected the team. Did he take responsibility for his actions?

Or did he try to shift the blame to someone else? A good boss should always take responsibility for his actions.

He should be able to own up to his mistakes. And he should try to make things right.

Observe their reaction when something goes wrong. Is their first instinct to take responsibility and try to fix the problem?

Or do they try to shift the blame? Whatever you observe will give you a good idea of what kind of boss they are.

Choosing The Good Boss:

You can never know a boss’s true character until you work with him. So when choosing a boss, it is essential to go with your gut feeling.

If you have a bad feeling about the boss, then it is probably best not to take the job.

On the other hand, if you have a good feeling about the boss, it is probably worth giving him a chance.

The most important thing is to choose a boss that you are compatible with. So take your time and make sure you select the right boss.

Final Word:

When choosing a boss, it is essential to consider many factors. The most important factor is what their team thinks of them.

It is a good sign if the team is motivated and inspired. It is also essential to consider how compatible you are with the boss.

Make sure to choose a boss that you can work well with. And finally, make sure to go with your gut feeling.

Last Updated on 1 year by Shahzaib Arshad