In my experience the best bosses to work for are the ones who have a clear set of values and beliefs. You know exactly where they stand on issues, you can explain their vision, they are consistent and predictable. When you’re representing them at a meeting you’re confident that you can represent their position without fear of being made to look foolish by being contradicted by something they subsequently say.

Of course this does not mean you agree on everything, sometimes in our business you have to make compromises and some battles are not worth fighting. You can work for a boss whose values and beliefs you do not share provided you accept that your role is to help them realise their vision. This is often referred to as being professional and the more time you spend in local government and the higher you go the more you experience it.