No kidding.
➔ “People don't leave companies, they leave people — their boss(es).” So says management consultant Alan Weiss. “I've seen people with poor environments and cloudy futures stay because their boss is so charismatic and compelling, and others with strong career tracks and stock options take off because their boss is the devil incarnate.”
While that may sound a little harsh, the fact is that there is a lot of truth there. What’s more, Mr. Weiss is not alone in his assessment. There are a lot of people – job seekers, recruiters and hiring types – who share that opinion. In fact, some also include co-worker(s) and colleagues in that reason to leave. Someone added that people don’t leave jobs, they leave people.
And, all that leaving can be expensive. According to the Bureau of National Affairs, $11 billion is lost annually due to employee turnover.
There is good news
The good news (in this case, the other side of the coin) is that the reverse is true as well. You can make a very reasoned case that people hire people – and they hire people they like. It’s that simple. They don’t hire resumes, or cover letters, or CVs. In today’s job market, you can expand that to include that they don’t hire LinkedIn profiles, ChatGPT or other AI generated cover letters and resumes. Not that those tools aren’t important, because they are.
But ultimately it comes down to whether or not that person likes you. Even if there might be more qualified candidates waiting in the hall. If you have marginal skills, etc., but if your potential new boss likes you – you’re in! On the other hand, you can have qualifications up one side and down the other, but if that interviewer just doesn’t like you…
Well, you know. “Next!”