Finding the right talent is imperative to taking your business to the next level, but this can be tricky. Looking for leadership potential in applicants is a vital step to help to ensure their quality of work. In order to find the traits we want from candidates, we have to ask the right questions.
Here are 5 questions to ask to secure an employee with the attributes of a leader:
1-How do you measure your own performance at work?
This self-evaluation is a great tool to understand how an employee defines success, and how they set themselves up to be successful.
This question also serves as a great tool to see how they will view success of other employees as a manager. By asking such a question you are able to shed light on what workplace success means to them as well as the criteria and scorecard they will use to evaluate the other team members.
2-Tell me about a time you had to complete a task you’d never done before.
When looking for a leader for your business, you need to look at a person’s ability to find a creative solution to new problems. When a candidate proves their ability to think on their feet, come up with creative solutions, as well as who and when to ask for help, they are demonstrating their role as a leader. If they are unable to think of ways to manage the issue on their own and jump to a supervisor right away, then consider their test failed.
3-What’s the most difficult decision you’ve had to make recently and how did you come up with that decision?
Being a leader obviously means making tough decisions however it also consists of being able to back up these decisions with insight, reason, and evidence. To take a look at this decision-making process helps an interviewer trust their process and reasoning behind their decisions once they are part of the team.
4-How do you come up with ideas?
Creativity is an important attribute that business owners should look for when asking this question. Whether it is finding innovative ways to solve a complex problem or clever motivation and team-building tactics, creativity is always a core element in a leader.
5-Who was the best boss you ever had?
Everyone has that one person they have come across in their life that they look up to. Whether it was a coach, mentor, or a boss, these people have inspired us by pushing us to our potential and past the limit we created for ourselves. By asking this question you can see what the candidate thinks makes a great leader and they will likely base their own leadership style on this ideal.
