It can be difficult to know what questions to ask senior leadership, especially if you’re new to a company or in a new role. Asking questions will give you a better sense of the company’s vision and where they see it going in the future.
35 Questions to ask senior leadership:
- What is the company’s history?
- How did it get to where it is today?
- What are the company’s core values?
- What is the company’s competitive landscape?
- Who are our biggest competitors?
- What threat do they pose?
- How do we define our target market?
- What type of content resonates best with our target audience? (e.g., blog posts, infographics, videos, etc.).
- How has the company evolved?
- What changes has it gone through – good and bad?
- How did these changes come about?
- Where does the company see itself in 5 years? In 10 years? In 20 years?
- What are the company’s profitability goals?
- What are our biggest challenges right now?
- And what are our greatest opportunities?
- What is the growth strategy for the company?
- Are there plans for acquisitions or divestments?
- How is the company’s financial health?
- How will the current economic situation affect the company?
- Are there plans to enter new markets or geographic areas?
- How is the company structured?
- Who reports to whom?
- Who makes decisions and how are these decisions made?
- What kind of culture does the company have?
- Do employees tend to stay with the company for a long time or do they change frequently?
- How does the company create value for shareholders?
- What career opportunities are available within the organization?
- What training and development opportunities are there for employees?
- What type of performance reviews are conducted, and how often does it occur?
- How is feedback handled – both positive and negative?
- What projects have teams worked on recently and what lessons have been learned – good and bad?
- Are there any new initiatives or initiatives that are being scaled back that I should be aware of?
- What changes do you anticipate for my role or department in the near future?
- What did not work well last year and should avoid repeating this year?
- What is the decision-making process for major decisions?
22 Questions to ask about the senior:
- What motivates you?
- What challenges have you faced in your position?
- What changes have you seen in your industry over the years?
- How do you see the future of our industry?
- How do you define success?
- What do you believe makes our company successful?
- How did you become interested in business/leadership?
- Who are some of your role models in leadership?
- What characteristics do you think effective leaders possess?
- Do you have any advice for developing leadership skills?
- Do you think there is a difference between management and leadership? If so, what does it consist of?
- What do you think makes a great leader great?
- Do effective leaders need to be likable? Why or why not?
- When it comes to making difficult decisions, what criteria do you use?
- What process do you use to make strategic decisions as an organization?
- What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned about organizational decision-making in your role?
- Can you give me an example where you had to make a difficult decision? How did you go about it, and what was the outcome?
- To what extent do values play a role in decision-making within the organization?
- Do our corporate values influence your decision-making when it comes to business?
- What are your priorities when resolving conflicts within the organization?
- What experiences have you had in dealing with conflicts within teams?
- From your perspective, what is the best way to resolve conflicts between team members?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary responsibilities of the senior leadership team?
The primary responsibilities of the senior leadership team are to set the vision and strategy for the company, lead and motivate the team, and ensure that the company is running effectively. They need to be able to think strategically and long-term and be able to successfully execute their plans. The team must also be able to inspire and motivate their team, create a positive company culture and manage change.
How does the senior leadership team make decisions?
The senior leadership team makes decisions by consensus. This involves the team discussing the issue at hand and agreeing on the best course of action. If the team cannot come to a consensus, the decision is made by a vote. This process ensures that everyone has a say and that the best decision for the company is made.
How do you build relationships with senior leaders?
One way to build a relationship is to find common ground. Share something you have in common, such as hobbies or interests. You can also ask them for advice or feedback on a project or idea.
Listening is another important component of building relationships with senior leaders. Pay attention to what they say and ask follow-up questions. When you show genuine interest, you can build a strong bond. Finally, be patient. It may take some time to develop a relationship with a senior leader to develop, but it will be worth the effort.
What makes a good senior leader?
A good senior leader can effectively manage their team and guide them through difficult challenges and tasks. They have a clear vision for the future and can communicate that vision to their team. They can make decisions quickly and efficiently, and are always looking for ways to improve team performance. They build trust with their team members and earn their respect through their actions. Finally, they are always willing to learn and develop as a leader.
Conclusion
Asking thoughtful questions shows that you are engaged and invested in understanding more about the company’s vision and where it’s headed. It also demonstrates your ability to think critically about complex issues and provides insight into how you solve problems – both of which are essential qualities for successful employees.
