Leadership is of crucial importance

Leadership is of crucial importance, not only during job performance but already from the job interview.

Many years ago, I went to an interview as a consultant at a large company. The interview was with the head of the IT department, the person who would become my direct supervisor, the "boss" so to speak. After ten minutes, the technical lead stormed in for the technical part of the interview. That conversation went smoothly, and after about twenty minutes he left the room as abruptly as he had entered.

After that came the typical soft-skills questions we all know. Until he concluded with the well-known cliché question: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" But before I could answer, he added: "As CEO of Theridion IT?" (the name of my independent freelance activity). I thought to myself "Hell yeah!". Not that I saw myself as CEO material, but it did sound cool. You don't say such things out loud during an interview, of course.

What happened next was downright embarrassing. He began preaching that he wasn't looking for "bright minds" because those people would leave again quickly anyway. The atmosphere completely shifted: from pleasant to extremely uncomfortable. I didn't know how to react. He probably didn't realize how insulting his words came across.

The interview was concluded, and for me it was already very clear what the outcome was. An hour later I was called by the recruiter with "the happy news": I could start. I thanked them politely and made up an excuse to decline the job. After several phone calls trying to persuade me anyway, they had resigned themselves to it with disappointment.

A job is something you (hopefully) choose for yourself. A job interview is the gateway to a potential relationship between two parties. There are many factors that determine whether you'll feel good in a position, but the initial connection must certainly be there. Moreover, don't forget that this also works both ways—it's a validation process, both for the interviewer and the candidate.

I have always tried to keep my life in my own hands (as much as possible, of course). After all, you have control over the choices you make. It's therefore okay to say "No" to something you don't believe in. For me personally, collaboration with a supervisor and/or team is one of the most important factors. Are these people who guide and strengthen you? Do they help you reach a higher level together?

A wise man once said: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."