The other day I conducted a candidate’s reference check. The candidate applied for a leadership role so I called up one of his previous subordinates. In the interaction with the referee, he was telling me a story of how he was developed by him a decade ago when he first started to join the workforce.
Some notes that hit me:
“He saw the potential in me and constantly pushed me to pursue my career aspirations.”
“No matter how busy he was, he always made time and listened to me patiently.”
“He always encouraged us to be responsible with our own actions.”
“When the time was right, he orchestrated a transfer so I could progress in my career.”
But the pivotal phrase he said was, “I owe my career’s success today to him.”
Now, after a decade long, the referee still speaks passionately about his ex-boss on how he groomed him to what he is today, is truly a commendable reference check in delivering the great employee experience.
It was definitely a very good reference check for a leader.
Bimbo
