Oftentimes, supervisors and leaders are asked what they look for when hiring new staff – what qualities make the best candidate for employment. However, this question is hardly ever reversed. So, for a wider perspective on what the city’s business scene needs, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce reached out to its Young Professionals of Chattanooga members to find out what leadership qualities young professionals seek in a company. Here is what 2025 Protégé graduate and YPC member Esther Lovingood wrote in response to our questions:
Q: When considering a company to work for, what qualities do you look for in its leadership team?
A: I look for leaders who lead with integrity first. I want to work with people who don’t just talk the talk – I need them to walk the walk. I also value leaders who lead with empathy and grace, and who maintain a constant desire to learn.
Q: Can you share an example of a leader who inspired you – and what specifically they did that earned your respect?
A: Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone, and the best leaders I’ve worked with have pushed me beyond mine. They pushed me toward opportunities I never would have pursued on my own because they knew that I could handle them and deliver results.
Q. What qualities or skills do you value most in a mentor, and why are those important to you at this stage of your career?
A: I look for the same qualities in a mentor that I look for in a leader. In addition, I want a mentor who is willing to advocate for me when I’m not in the room. I also need someone who isn’t afraid to provide honest feedback – call me out when I need it and build me up when I’ve earned it.
Q: How do leadership and mentorship impact your decision to stay with or leave a company?
A: You often hear the quote, “People don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses.” And it’s true. The average person spends at least a third of their life at work, often seeing their bosses and coworkers as much as or more than their own family. At this point in my career, I cannot commit that much of my life to working under poor leadership. At the end of the day, it’s the people who make me love my job.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to today’s leaders or mentors about working with young professionals, what would it be?
A: Learn their communication style and be willing to provide feedback in a way that makes sense to them. Communication can make or break your relationship with your employees or mentees.
According to Esther, a strong leader is ultimately someone who leads with integrity, pushes employees to the best of their ability, communicates effectively, empathizes, and offers honesty in all situations. These are all qualities that are geared toward better personal connection. A good leader is not someone who is solely concerned with numbers and production output; rather, they take the time to know their employees as people. They help the individuals behind the company grow, and this, in turn, strengthens the company as an entity and a community.
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