It can be challenging to assess leadership skills during an interview.
Here are some questions to get you thinking about what you want to ask your next leadership candidate. What would you add?
What things build trust in a team?
What did you learn from your worst boss? Your best?
Describe your leadership style in just three words.
What leadership trait are you focused on developing right now?
What principles are most important to you as a leader?
Give an example of where two of those principles were in conflict, and you had to choose one over the other. Why?
Give an example of a time you were able to bring collaboration to a team that was struggling to achieve that.
What three attributes would you say are most important to cultivate in a high-performing team?
Describe a situation where you had to manage significant conflict within your team—and what the outcome was.
What can leaders do to help employees who are fearful because of change?
How do you decide when to let something go with an employee, and when to step in?
Share an example of a leader you admire, and why you do so.
How do you handle internal requests that you don’t have the resources for, or that aren’t the best use of your team’s time?
What’s the best way to deal with a team member who is prone to argue and gets defensive when critiqued?
What would the first 30 days of your work at any new job look like?
What things would you have no patience for in an employee?
What percent of the time do you meet your deadlines?
What percent of the time do you keep your word?
What are common problems that occur around delegation?
What leadership skills do you have that make you an especially good addition to a team?