5 STEPS TO FIND

YOUR DREAM BOSS

A multipliers tool to find the right match

GROUP
5 STEPS TO FIND
YOUR DREAM BOSS
A multipliers tool to find the right match

Is your current manager the boss of your dreams or your nightmares...or somewhere
in between? How can you assess whether you’re working for a boss who will bring
out the best in you? What if you’re stuck under an unchanging Diminisher...or you’ve
lost your job and are looking for the next right thing? We all want a job that will bring
out our best.

But don’t just look for the right company or job/role; go shopping for your boss.
Here’s a shopping guide that will help you find a Multiplier.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO & TOOL

Watch this video explanation and tool on “How To Deal with Diminishers”
by Liz Wiseman: thewisemangroup.com/diminishers

SUGGESTED READING
Dive further into Dealing with Diminishers in Multipliers: How the Best Leaders
Make Everyone Smarter. We suggest reading: Chapter 8: Dealing with
Diminishers p 211- 241 of Multipliers, 2nd Edition

Copyright © 2020 The Wiseman Group. All rights reserved. Celebrating 10 Years of Multipliers 1
Whether you’re looking to gain insight into your current boss or needing to shop for a new one,
here are some identifying and planning steps to help you on your quest.

1. Look for signs of Multiplier and Diminisher behavior

Below are a few telltale signs to help spot the Multipliers and Diminishers.

A. Think about your current boss.

B. Review the checklist below.

C. Mark behaviors you see in them.

MULITPLIER SIGNS: DIMINISHER SIGNS:

Has a low talk/listen ratio Has a high talk/listen ratio

Asks follow-up questions out of curiosity Accepts surface level answers

Asks “why” to better understand Asks about “what” and “how”

Shares multiple perspectives on issues Is emphatic with ideas

Laughs and shows sincere self-deprecation Takes themselves very seriously

2. Identify your dream boss

Think about how your dream boss would behave. What traits do they have? Choose the most
important traits you wish to have in your boss.

R AITS Asks Challenges

RT me
LIE
1. questions
P
LTI

2. Lets others Encourages

MU

weigh in debate
3.
Admits Sees my
mistakes Expects
unique talents
excellence

Intellectual
curiosity Gives
Sense of ownership
humor

Copyright © 2020 The Wiseman Group. All rights reserved. Celebrating 10 Years of Multipliers 2
DETECTIVE WORK: If you have moved beyond assessing your current boss and are actively
looking for a new boss (internally or externally), the following are steps to inform you to make the
best decision possible. As you shop for a new boss, do your homework before you commit.

If the prospective manager is uncomfortable with you asking or doing any of the below,
you’ve just received all the information you need.

3. Ask revealing questions

When you’re interviewing for a new job, it’s not just about you being the right fit for them - it’s also
about them being the right fit for you. You’ll be living with this decision for years, so, just as you
would when making any major purchase, get information first. When interviewing a potential new
boss, ask good questions that expose their mindset and core assumptions. Watch for evidence
of Multiplier leadership.

ASK: Tell me about your team?

LISTEN FOR: Not what they say, but how long they can talk. If they are self-focused, the conversation
will come back to them quickly.
WHAT DID YOU HEAR / OBSERVE? _________________________________________________________________

ASK: What is the fundamental role that leaders play here? How would others describe your role
on the team?
LISTEN FOR: Do they see themselves as a thought leader or a catalyst?
WHAT DID YOU HEAR / OBSERVE? _________________________________________________________________

ASK: What type of people are seen as highly intelligent here?

LISTEN FOR: Do they have a singular view of intelligence, or do they think people bring unique types
of capabilities?
WHAT DID YOU HEAR / OBSERVE? _________________________________________________________________

ASK: What is an example of a project that is currently owned by someone at my level?

LISTEN FOR: Do they describe a set of tasks or a large project or initiative?
WHAT DID YOU HEAR / OBSERVE? _________________________________________________________________

ASK: How have you become better as a leader?

LISTEN FOR: Do they demonstrate an awareness of their vulnerabilities and do they actively seek out
information about their blind spots?
WHAT DID YOU HEAR / OBSERVE? _________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2020 The Wiseman Group. All rights reserved. Celebrating 10 Years of Multipliers 3
4. Check the reviews
Sleuth around to find out what it’s like to work for this boss. Talk to the people who are currently
working for him or her or use tools like Glassdoor.com.

Make note of your findings: __________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Try-before you buy

After doing the previous two steps/your research, do you still have any doubts about this boss?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have significant doubts, ask to work initially as a contractor or consultant. If this isn’t
feasible, ask to sit in a team meeting or participate on a conference call to better understand
how the team works.

BRING MULTIPLIERS TO YOUR TEAM

Contact us to discuss how we can introduce Multipliers Alyssa

to your team and company.
Shawn

thewisemangroup.com/contact
Karina

Copyright © 2020 The Wiseman Group. All rights reserved. Celebrating 10 Years of Multipliers 4