5 Tips for Spotting a Bad Boss

A good boss can make you feel engaged and empowered at work while simultaneously identifying and helping to grow your strengths and improve your weaknesses. A bad boss, however, can quickly make your job unbearable, even when the job seems perfect on paper (and in salary). A study conducted by Baylor University further notes the effects of a bad boss by stating stress and tension caused by an abusive boss, “affects the marital relationship and subsequently, the employee’s entire family.” With these findings in mind, it is even more important to spot a bad boss before you sign on to work for them. Here are five tips to help spot a bad boss:

1.) Pronoun usage- John Brubaker, performance consultant, reveals that the pronoun choice and context a boss uses is the biggest verbal tell in an interview. For instance, using the term “you” in regards to negative information (“you will deal with a lot of ambiguity”) shows the boss will not be a mentor. Choosing “I” to describe department success is a big red flag as is saying “we” when talking about a particular challenge the company has faced. These both could indicate the boss is prone to deflecting responsibility and placing blame.

2.) Personal questions - This one can be tough because the line between genuine relationship building and fishing for information is a blurred one. Interviewers can’t legally ask about your family situation, religious background, or other personal matters, but sometimes this may come up in general conversation. Use your best judgment and remember it is ok to decline to answer something you are not comfortable with sharing.

3.) They’re distracted-In this day and age, the age of smartphones and email, many people have developed disrespectful communication habits in the name of work. Business norms often include reading email on your phone while in a meeting, checking messages on your smartphone while on a conference call, etc. However, your interviewer should be striving to make a good impression on you just as much as you are trying to make a good impression on them. Making a good impression includes shutting down technology and giving undivided attention. If your interviewer answers calls, emails, etc. during the interview, don’t expect them to make time for you if you take the job.

4.) They can’t give you a straight answer-Human Resources professor, Caren Goldberg, Ph.D. says vague answers to your questions is a key “tell.” Be sure to listen for pauses, awkwardness, and overly-generic responses to your questions, especially if you ask about the person previously in your position or why the position is available. For instance, if the previous person was “a bad fit,” this could mean the workplace doesn’t spend much time on employee development. Asking about turnover rate is also an excellent way to find out about the boss and the position alike.

5.) They’ve got a record-Don’t be afraid to ask the potential boss how long he or she has been at the company, in that particular role, or where they worked before this company. This can help you get a feel for their management style and if you will respond to it. For instance, leading at a large corporation then switching to a smaller corporation can indicate a formality in leadership style.

To read further, review this article. 
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Arthur Cooper is the Chief Executive Officer of Fidelis Partners as well as the Chief Operating Officer of Medestar. 
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