Should you follow a former leader to a new company?
You may be eager to join a company for compensation, growth opportunities, or mission, but the secret to job satisfaction? An authentic leader.
As AI enters the workplace, we are going to need more ‘AL’ — Authentic Leadership. Humans will need to become even more human. Authentic leadership is an approach that promotes openness and building honest relationships with colleagues, which results in enthusiastic support and trust. AI will begin to automate many repetitive tasks such as admin and scheduling, allowing leaders to spend more time focused on people development and coaching. In turn, employee’s desire for authentic leaders with strong values will intensify.
So what happens if your exceptional former leader or manager moves to another organization? One of the best ways to guarantee that you get that authentic leader is to follow one you already know and here’s why:
Job Autonomy and Satisfaction
Although a better pay cheque may be in the cards, it’s not just about the money. Recognition, opportunity, innovation, and excitement are motivating factors to consider when switching teams. The employer’s confidence that you can perform in the new role will allow for more autonomy and ownership, making your work more enjoyable.
Faster Mastery
You’ve already proven yourself in a previous role, meaning more job empowerment and trust right out of the gate. Onboarding will be less time consuming compared to hiring a brand new employee, benefiting both you and the employer. Once ramped-up, you can own your new role and make significant contributions quickly which will result in greater job satisfaction.
Familiar Culture
Oftentimes a person will have the right skills and qualifications for a job, but a lack of fit within workplace culture can be detrimental long-term. Fortunately, the stage will already be set for success as you’ll have insight on your new organization when it comes to company culture and values.
Benefits Both Sides
From the employer’s point of view, welcoming a former colleague to the team is attractive because it removes the fear of the unknown. In fact, hiring Boomerang Employees, a person who leaves an organization and rejoins the same organization at a future date, is a growing trend. Why? It’s less risky for someone to hire a person they know or who is referred to them.
So you’ve decided you want to follow the leader? Here are some tips and things to consider throughout the process:
When applying, it’s polite to send a personalized note through email or LinkedIn to connect with your former leader to let them know you’ve applied. If you’re a general fit for the role and you had great chemistry, this will almost guarantee you an interview.
If you land an interview, research the new company and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the new role to confirm it’s worthwhile making the transition. Don’t presume that your former leader will hire you on even if they loved your previous work. The position may be filled by a more qualified candidate or they may prefer to start with someone else.
If you are offered the job, be sure to resign gracefully from the company you left to avoid burning any bridges. Providing appropriate notice along with a well-written resignation letter will work wonders. Start the next chapter of your career with a clean slate, making positive habit changes and focusing on career development.
As we transform how Artificial Intelligence impacts management roles at Kiite, we think more about the human-centered approach to leadership. Bill George, a senior fellow at Harvard Business School, outlines the important qualities of an AL. “Authentic leaders are coaches and mentors, inspiring others and empowering their teammates to lead through the most important tasks without a great deal of supervision.” You may love your position, work, and company but it’s our relationships with both co-workers and leaders that directly impacts workplace happiness and success.
