About a week ago I read a note that said, “Don’t pick a job.  Pick a boss.  Your first boss is the biggest factor in your career success.  A boss who doesn’t trust you won’t give you opportunities to grow.”

I pondered this for a minute, then thought, “I disagree.”  Let me tell you why.

As a former corporate recruiter who’s hired many, many people in my corporate career, I’ve encountered quite a few people who took jobs because they were “wowed” by the new leader for whom I had hired them to work.  Their new leader was smart, talented, charismatic and could clearly spell out all of the great things they would make happen for them once they accepted the offer and began the new chapter in their career.  The new opportunity may not be exactly what they wanted, but the new leaders promised (s)he would make it happen for them.  This new leader made them feel welcomed, put them at ease and started them off on a pathway of success.

Sounds wonderful, right?

Here’s the problem – often, within six months of beginning the new job, the new leader moved on – up, over or out of the organization.  As you know, it’s not uncommon for smart, talented and charismatic leaders to be on a career track that moves.  This isn’t always the case, but I bet you’ve witnessed this before.  When this occurs, you can find yourself left in a job and career path that isn’t quite what had been promised or hoped for – no great boss, no great career!  Your covering, cheerleader and sponsor have blown away in the wind!

If you select the opportunity with more focus on the position and what you can contribute to and get out of it, even if the great leader leaves, you’re already in the role where you can see and obtain the gain.  If no other opportunities come out of the assignment, you would have made a selection that will provide you with enough to add at least one more bullet worth having on your resume.

Remember, your goal is to be a contributing member of the organization and gain valuable work experiences that will help you achieve your career goals.  If you lose sight of this by getting caught up in personalities, you could find yourself on a career path you don’t want.

Until next time….