Evaluating that future boss. What are your non-negotiables?

I have been helping a client prepare for a career change. Over the months we have spent long hours, and often difficult hours, exploring and defining what constitutes a good opportunity. And then we came to the assessment of the future boss.

Not an easy task. First we had to explore what values mattered to my client. We had to identify leadership characteristics that mattered, style criteria that mattered. Then it was time to lay out which of those were non-negotiables.

It is a difficult process, requiring a lot of introspection, a lot of personal assessment.

Then came the interviews and preparing to assure that the interview process tested against these criteria. Truth is, understanding the job in question is easier than assessing the future boss.

Then came true first job offer:
The job was great.
The company was great.
The offer was very good.
The boss did not pass on the non-negotiables.

Offer declined.
Not an easy call to make, but the right call.
I am so proud.