Understanding how a team works and how good a leader is can be done by asking a few key questions before taking a job. These questions include who was recently promoted and why, if anyone has been fired and why, and how leaders help people who are struggling. It’s also important to know how leaders keep their best people challenged, how they make sure everyone is accountable, and who they are preparing to take their place.
Asking these questions helps you see if promotions are fair, if leaders can make tough decisions, and if they support their team well. This will give you a clear picture of the work environment and whether it aligns with your career goals.
Who have you recently promoted (and Why)?
What I’m looking for:
Are promotions merit-based?: This checks if the company values and rewards performance and achievements rather than favoritism or other biases.
Can they get people promoted?: This assesses if the individual has the ability to recognize talent, mentor, and support team members’ career growth.
Have you had to fire anyone from the team (and Why)?
What I’m looking for:
Do they protect the team culture? : This determines whether the person prioritizes maintaining a positive and productive team environment and makes decisions that support this goal.
Are they willing to make hard decisions? : This evaluates if the person is capable of making difficult but necessary decisions, such as terminating employment when required for the team’s and company’s health.
When do you know it’s time to help people rotate off your team?
What I’m looking for:
How supportive are they of great people? : This looks at whether the person encourages and facilitates the development and growth of talented individuals, even if it means rotating them to other teams or departments.
Are they well connected inside & outside the company? : This examines if the person has strong relationships and networks within and beyond the company, which can help in providing opportunities for team members to grow.
If someone is struggling, how do you support them?
What I’m looking for:
Are they close enough to know? Do they care enough to coach? : This checks if the person is attentive to their team members’ needs and willing to invest time and effort in coaching and supporting them.
How many arrows are in their management development quiver? : This assesses the range of tools, strategies, and approaches the person can utilize to help struggling team members, indicating their resourcefulness and adaptability.
How do you keep your stars challenged?
What I’m looking for:
Are stars taken for granted because they aren’t needy? : This determines if the person ensures that high performers are continuously engaged and recognized, rather than neglected because they are self-sufficient.
Can they source meaningful opportunities or just “make work”? : This evaluates whether the person can find or create valuable and challenging opportunities for top performers, rather than just assigning them busywork.
Tell me about how accountability works on your team?
What I’m looking for:
Do people know what’s expected of them? : This assesses if there are clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations communicated to team members, ensuring accountability.
Is there enough trust to have hard conversations directly? : This checks if there is a culture of trust that allows for honest and direct communication, especially when addressing performance issues or feedback.
Who are you grooming to take your spot?
What I’m looking for:
Are they freeing themselves up to leave? How soon? : This evaluates if the person is preparing others to take over their role, indicating effective succession planning and leadership development.
Do they have the ambition to generate opportunities for the team? : This assesses whether the person is not only focusing on their own career growth but also creating and facilitating growth opportunities for their team members.
Asking the right questions before taking a job is crucial for understanding the leadership quality. By inquiring about promotions, firings, support for struggling team members, challenges for top performers, accountability practices, and succession planning, you can gain valuable insights into how the team operates and whether the leadership fosters a positive and growth-oriented environment.
These questions will help you make an informed decision about whether the job and the team are the right fit for you and your career aspirations.