Good & Bad Managers

'People don't quit companies, they quit managers'.

Just like the way companies do background checks, you also need to do background checks on managers/teams/companies. Oftentimes we don't put in the effort for two reasons - 1) lack of choice, we need this job 2) we don't even know how to do it.

Glassdoor reviews can be one indicator. Conversations on the blind (if you are in tech). Talking to folks who worked with the manager. After all this activity you will still find enough evidence supporting both sides. But there will be a natural voice that will emerge in your head. You need to trust that voice. Because deep down it knows what you want.

The world runs on abundance. But values scarcity.

All good managers will almost have their teams full as people don't want to leave a good manager. So inevitably we might end up with bad or mediocre managers.

The only solution I found to this problem is to flip the dynamic. Be good so that good managers want you. So you are being chosen and you are not choosing.