Assignment: Interview Tips
Before you make contact with your potential leader; carefully review the tips on this sheet.
Plan
1. Use your network to create a list of potential leaders. Ensure that the leader represents one of the industries identified on page one.
2. Do a brief research of the organization so that you have a general idea of what your leader's responsibilities are.
3. Review the questions that you will ask during the interview. You may want to jot down some key words from Chapters 8 and 9 in case the interviewer needs any clarification on the questions being asked.
The Cold Call
1. Write a telephone script.
2. Call and ask for the person with whom you want to meet.
3. Introduce yourself and be specific about the purpose of your call.
4. Request an appointment.
5. Indicate the amount of time you would like. (15-20 minutes)
6. Confirm and write down the date, time, and place of your appointment.
7. Thank the person for the opportunity to interview them.
The Interview
1. Dress as you would for a job interview.
2. Take a folder with you containing pen/pencil, paper, and your list of questions
3. Arrive on time, but no more than 10 minutes early.
4. Be friendly and polite with everyone you encounter in the organization.
5. Introduce yourself, state your purpose and thank the person for giving you his/her time.
6. Begin asking your interview questions; let the discussion flow naturally.
Take notes.
1. Stick within the allotted time for the interview. If the interview is going longer than the allotted time, check that additional time is all right.
2. Obtain a business card or their contact information.
3. Thank the person for his/her time.
Questions to Ask
Part 1-
1. How would you describe your basic leadership style? What is one example of how you demonstrate this?
2. In your opinion, what is the difference between a manager and a leader, or is there one?
3. What is one characteristic/trait that you believe every leader should possess?
4. What is the one behaviour or trait you have seen derail a leader's career?
5. What sort of power or authority do you use to motivate or influence others?
6. How do you keep your employees involved and motivated?
7. In your organization, what specific traits or characteristics do you see as important in developing employees' trust?
8. Why is it important for your employees to trust you?
9. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership or management position for the first time?
10. What do you see as some current issues in leadership either personally or generally?
11. Choose two additional questions that you may want to ask your leader related to the chapter topics.
Part 2-
1.Provide a solid rationale as to why you view this person as a leader.
2. What conclusions can you make about the individual's leadership style?
3. How does s/he motivate others within the organization?
Part 3-
Provide a one to two page single- spaced summary about what the four of you learned from this assignment about leadership, power, motivation, and trust from your leadership interviewees. Summarize the current issues in leadership and motivation for today's leaders and managers. Ensure that you compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the leader(s) as part of your summary.
In the final part of your team summary, list your ten takeaway statements (most important information that you learned). These statements should include reference to the following course material from the corresponding chapters applied in this assignment:
1. Theories of Leadership
2. Managing Power
3. Theories of Motivation
4. Developing Trust in the organization
5. Current issues facing today's leaders and managers.