Assessing Culture & Leadership

Finding the right culture and leadership style that aligns with your working preferences is crucial for success and job satisfaction in a new role, especially during the start of your career.

Your early career is all about learning and development, and by working in a positive culture under good leaders, not only will you feel more fulfilled, but you will also receive more opportunities for mentorship, guidance and growth.

Why culture & leadership matter

Finding the right work culture is key to happiness and success, especially early in your career.

A good fit helps you feel fulfilled, get guidance, and grow. Here’s how to find it:

Self-Assessment:

Reflect on your own work style, values, and preferences.

Consider what environments you have thrived in before, what leaderships styles have motivated you, and what cultural elements are important to you.

For example, does having a hands-off manager who you don’t speak to everyday sound ideal, or scary?

Knowing your preferences is the first step to finding the right fit.

Research:

Before interviewing, ensure you have researched the company’s culture and leadership. Do this by looking beyond the ‘about us’ page on their website through methods such as.

• Using website such as Glassdoor and Linkedin to check employee reviews and review company turnover figures
• Reaching out to current or former employees of the company
• Asking recruiters within the industry what the company’s reputation is

Interview insights:

Now the real fun begins! Use the interview as a fact-finding mission:

• Questions (and the answers that follow) such as ‘can you describe the company culture / leadership style / opportunities for support and growth’ will give you an excellent insight into the company.
• Observing and paying attention to interactions throughout your interview, you will soon see if you can see yourself working in this environment. Notice how employees communicate with each other and you and take note of any red flags or behaviours that do not align with your preferences.

Instincts:

Trust your gut when assessing a workplace. If something feels ‘off’, don’t ignore it. Examine your feelings.

• Listen to your intuition
• Distinguish nerves from red flags
• Use a 2^nd interview to clarify
• Choose a workplace that feels right

In conclusion:

Finding the right culture and leadership style may take time and exploration, but investing effort in this process is essential for long-term satisfaction and success in your new role.

Through following the stages outlined of self-assessment, research, and using the interview process as a fact-finding mission, you will soon be able to tell if your next employer has the right culture and leaders for you to thrive in.

How can we help?

With dedicated specialists, we can leverage our expertise to guide you through assessing cultural and leadership fit, matching you with employers whose values and work environment align with your preferences and goals.

If you are a Human Resources professional wanting to connect for a career discussion, market update or support for your team, please contact us for a further discussion.

Ffion Williamson is a associate consultant, based in VIC. She serves as a dedicated ally to clients and stakeholders, with a focus on enhancing business and people objectives in Melbourne's early to mid-level HR market.