1. One’s manager is a critical part of the decision to join a company. A lightly discussed but important thing to diligence is how influential your potential manager is and how well they are regarded within the company.

2. How fast have they been promoted? Do they have the ear of the company’s leadership team? Can they get things done? Can they clear hurdles for you?

3. “Hitching your wagon”, as it were, to an influential fast rising star can be one of the best career decisions you make.

4. Conversely, if they are regarded as ineffective and mediocre, your experience is likely to be challenged, to say the least.

5. How to diligence this?
(a) Career trajectory: use LinkedIn + supplement with asking the potential manager directly.

(b) Ability to get sh*t done: set up “manager diligence” meetings with future teammates. Potential questions: “Tell me about a situation where your manager helped you.” “What do you wish your manager did more / less of?” The truth will come out :)