Interview your next leader before closing the deal

You are sitting in the conference room or in the office of the hiring manager. You are feeling good vibes regarding the previous panel interview with the team and key leaders. The team dropped strong hints that you are a great fit for the position. Today is your final in-person interview with the hiring manager and department leaders. The hiring manager provides the schedule for the day and he or she is the last interviewer on the schedule.

The question is, do you have a process for interviewing your next leader? Does it matter who you report to or is it all about the dead presidents ($$$)? Does it matter if your next leader does not have the same values, beliefs and behaviors? Hey, none of us are perfect, but do you know your limitations when its time for the leader to put you to the test? How do you respond when your leader is under pressure to perform and he or she requests that you complete a task that you do not condone?

Before you shake hands and sign the line, consider using your social networks to find a trusted connector that will provide a deeper background on your potential leader. After you gather that critical data from the connector, digest the data and be prepared to ask a few questions to your potential leader during the end of the interview process.

Questions for your next potential leader who is interviewing you:

• What is your management philosophy?
• Explain how you avoid partiality within the team?
• Describe a time when you disagreed with your leader and how you handled the situation?
• Describe your thoughts about the company’s politics?
• How do you support Senior Leadership?
• How do you develop the players on your team?

The potential leader may answer the questions without a hitch. Nevertheless, you now have the answers to some of the above open-ended questions as well as the data from your connector. This data will tell you much more about your potential leader. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but it is a start to heighten your awareness to make a better decision.

What other questions would you ask your potential leader?

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”

-Norman Schwarzkoff