Leadership Interview Guide

Leadership Interview Guide
You must identify and meet in-person with someone who is in a high level healthcare leadership position. The leader you select should not be a friend or family member. Select someone who is at least five years older than you and experienced in health care management at a high administrative level. For example, a CEO, a Vice President or C-Suite executive (CFO, chief nursing officer, COO, etc.) is preferred. A person who is a senior manager or administrator is also acceptable if they have strategic management oversight. They can also be a director of a health care clinic, agency or other organization. If you work in a large healthcare organization, you can interview key leadership there. Otherwise, you will have to make arrangements in your community. For your interview, you need to structure questions to gain this insight on their role and their leadership styles.
It is preferable that you schedule this several weeks in advance and do the interview in person. Your dress should be professional when you meet for the interview. Professional dress means no jeans, tee shirts or ball caps pointing front or backward, no hoodies, no wrinkled clothes, no low cut clothing, etc. A dress shirt and tie for guys and business appropriate dress (e.g., not what you’d wear to a party or social gathering) for girls are suggested. You must plan ahead… most people in leadership positions are busy. Call and schedule a meeting time. Be prompt and don’t waste their time. It should not take more than 30 minutes if they ask. When you make an initial contact, explain that you are conducting an interview with people in leadership positions as part of your MHA 536 Strategic Healthcare Management Course at Southern Illinois University. Remember—you are representing the university when you meet for the interview… be sharp. You should plan to take notes (do not record the interview) and be attentive. Ask for any collateral material they may be willing to share.
Here are a few questions to ask after you introduce yourself and thank the person for taking time out of a busy schedule to meet with you:
1) Ask the correct spelling of the name and the title of their position.
2) Ask them to discuss their educational background.
3) As them to think about their position today. Who has influenced them as a leader?
4) Ask how they would characterize their leadership style.
5) Ask why or how they think strategically in managing operations. Ask if they utilize an annual business plan or marketing plan and how it is developed and approved.
6) Ask their opinion about teamwork or how they select committees for projects.
7) How effective are those teams? Ask them to describe what an effective leader must do when building a team to make sure everyone participates or does the job.
8) Current research indicates that the use of teams has led to greater productivity, more effective use of resources, better decisions & problem solving, better-quality products & services, increased innovation & creativity—does this work in their administrative role?
9) Ask them to comment on the role of strategic management and challenges that a leader faces in healthcare.
10) Ask what they look for when they hire someone in terms of management potential.
11) Ask for any suggestions to graduate students or early careerists on pursuing leadership positions.
12) Ask anything else you feel would be germane to the subject of being a healthcare leader.
Then thank him/her for their time. After the interview, organize your notes and write your paper on what you have learned. In addition, use at least 3 citations on effective strategic management. Your paper will have six key areas.
1. Introduction
2. Description of the Organization
3. Background of the Executive
4. Role of Strategic Management
5. Recommendations for Early Careerists
6. Summary
There is no mandated length for this paper, but most are in the 8-10 page range in previously classes.
I do expect a Title Page, and Refer

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