7 Questions to Find the Right Boss

When choosing a job, you're not just picking a role or a paycheck ‘You're also choosing a manager’. And the right manager can be the difference between accelerating your career or stalling it completely.?

So, how do you ensure you're stepping into a healthy, growth-oriented environment? By "interviewing" your potential manager just as much as they're interviewing you. Here are 7 key questions to help you spot a good (or bad) boss in your next interview:?

1. "Of all the people who've worked for you, how many have been promoted?"?

• Why ask this? It shows whether they actively develop their team members.?

• What to look for: Great leaders will have specific examples of people they've supported in their career growth.?

2. "Can you share a time when employee feedback led to change?"?

• Why ask this? It reveals how they handle feedback.?

• What to look for: Good leaders make people feel heard and take action on valuable input.?

3. "How do you handle failure or mistakes within your team?"?

• Why ask this? It shows their approach to failure.?

• What to look for: Strong leaders use mistakes as coaching moments rather than opportunities to assign blame.?

4. "How do you balance achieving results with team well-being?"?

• Why ask this? It reveals their priorities under pressure.?

• What to look for: Leaders who protect their team's mental health while delivering results are rare but invaluable.?

5. "What leadership development opportunities exist here?"?

• Why ask this? It shows how much the company invests in leadership growth.?

• What to look for: Organizations with strong leadership standards often offer better growth opportunities.?

6. "How do you manage conflict between team members?"?

• Why ask this? It tests their conflict resolution skills.?

• What to look for: Effective leaders address the root causes of conflicts, not just the symptoms.?

7. "How do you define and measure success for your team?"?

• Why ask this? It reveals their true leadership priorities.?

• What to look for: Great leaders balance team growth with business outcomes.?

Final Thought?

Your manager plays a pivotal role in your professional journey. By asking these questions, you’re not just evaluating the job, you’re ensuring that the person leading you is aligned with your values, growth, and well-being.?

Take the time to "interview" them, too. The right leader will inspire, challenge, and support you in ways that go far beyond your job description.?

Reshare this newsletter to help your network spot great leadership. And don’t forget to follow @ckcodeconnect for more career and hiring insights!?