Related Experiment Videos
The art of interviewing your next CEO
David W Thompson1, Nancie Noie Thompson
1Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers, Chicago, USA.
Trustee : the Journal for Hospital Governing Boards
|March 11, 2003
Summary
Effective interviewing, using broad questions and probing, reveals genuine candidate behavior for better management evaluations. This approach builds trust and uncovers true potential, crucial for selecting leaders like a new CEO.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Behavior
- Human Resource Management
- Psychology
Background:
- Interviews are a critical tool for assessing managerial candidates.
- Effective interviewing requires specific techniques to elicit genuine responses.
- Managerial assessment is vital for organizational success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the effectiveness of proper interview techniques in evaluating managers.
- To emphasize the role of interviewing in understanding a candidate's true behavior and suitability for a role.
- To advocate for the integration of advanced interviewing skills into managerial and board practices.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing broad, gently posed questions to encourage open responses.
- Employing frequent, skillful probing to elicit spontaneous and authentic behavior.
- Creating a safe and comfortable environment for the interviewee.
Main Results:
- Broad questions allow candidates freedom, revealing their focus areas.
- Probing elicits the most genuine behavior, indicating how candidates will perform in specific situations.
- A safe interview environment reduces interviewee fear and discomfort, fostering sincerity.
Conclusions:
- Properly conducted interviews are highly effective for evaluating managers at all levels.
- Interviewing skills, including probing, are essential for good management and board oversight.
- Boards must select emotionally capable members for conducting in-depth interviews, particularly for key roles like CEO.