How to Ace Interview Question #23: What do you look for in a boss?

At some point in almost every interview I’ve gone through, I get the standard question about leadership: “What do you look for in a boss?” Up until the point when I got desperate for work and staged mock-interviews in the kitchen with my roommate, I never had a good answer to that question. Even then, my answer was fabricated and pretty void of character, emotion, and everything else they are actually looking for in an interview. Finally, I know how to answer that question. And, like many other things in life, I found out what good leadership was by experiencing the exact opposite. Here is my quick list of what I look for in a boss:

1. Someone who leads by example. This means they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, take out the trash, and humble themselves for the benefit of the team.

2. Someone who doesn’t micromanage. Micromanaging can kill the creative and proactive spirit, something that most employers actually value. It also discourages self-esteem and pride in what you do.

3. Someone who trusts their employees. Lack of trust encourages employees to rely on their superior or other co-workers, instead of on their own strength. It causes an overall feeling of meaninglessness.

4. Someone who empowers their employees, constantly motivating them to be better at what they do. This can be done through actual tactile rewards, or simple positive speech and attitude.

5. Someone who knows how to be an emotional leader, not just booksmart.

6. Someone with good social skills, even more so than skills in their particular trade. People look up to leaders, whether they realize it or not, and not only expect them to be the big cheese at work, but also the guy they want to have a beer with after 5pm.

7. Someone who gives evidence that they actually listen to you and want to hear what you have to say.

8. Someone open to new ideas. Change is good.

9. Someone who is constantly bettering themselves, reading books on management styles, communication styles, etc.

That's my list. You probably won't get to mention all of these in your thirty-minute interview, but if you ever have to write an essay on good management styles, you're good. So go get 'em, internet.