INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO PROBE THE SAWs
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LEADERSHIP
Recognizes opportunities; envisions how to change the game, and enrolls others to make it happen
Creates environment for others to contribute fully
Faces reality; owns complexity; makes tough choices; anticipates and addresses barriers Tell me about a time when you were able to step into a situation, take charge, get support, and bring about excellent
results.
 Tell me about a time when something significant was accomplished that you made happen.
 How did you set the direction for the group, and what was the tangible result of your effort?
 Give me an example of where you made a difference at school work etc.
 What did you individually contribute that would not have happened if you were not there?
 Tell me about a time where you had to make an unpopular decision and get others' commitment to it.
 Give me an example of a time where you persuaded (or convinced) someone to your way of thinking.
 How did you set the direction for the group and what was the tangible result of your effort?
 Give me an example of a time when you were leading and influencing the direction of a project.
 What was your role as (title)? How many others worked with you on this project? What specifically did you contribute?
 Tell me about a time you risked your popularity to achieve something important.
 Give me a specific example of when you have led a group to do something they did not want to do when you weren’t

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. INNOVATION
Displays insatiable, boundless curiosity
Is entrepreneurial in making breakthrough connections
Taps into communities of knowledge and reapplies ideas and methods to new situations
Is imaginative and recombines knowledge in ways which create new insights Tell me about a situation in which you were able to find a new and better way of doing something significant.
 Give me an example of a time you had a problem and you solved it in an unusual way.
 Tell me about a time when you came up with a new idea that was implemented. What was the result?
 What did you do that was better (bigger, faster, smarter, different) than it was before you were there?
 Give me an example of a time you had a problem and you approached it in an unusual way to solve it.
 Tell me about a time when you came up with a new idea that was implemented. What was the result?
 Tell me about a time when you saw something succeed and reapplied the idea in a different context to help something
else succeed.
 What is an example of a situation where you made a significant improvement?
 Describe a time when you were able to come up with new ideas that were key to the success of some activity or project.
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. COLLABORATION
Proactively brings together the right people with the right information at the right time
Inspires trust; genuinely respects others by caring about what they say and how they feel
Works effectively with diverse people and has confidence in their abilities, values, and intentions
Seeks first to understand, then to be understood; is able to handle conflict
Has adequate language skills; is able to tailor behavior and communication depending on situation Give me an example that would show you’ve been able to develop and maintain productive relations with others,
even though they may have differing points of view.
 Describe a situation in which you were a member of a team with a specific goal. How did you reach your goal as a
team? What was your individual role?
 Tell me about a time when you worked with others through a conflict.
 Give me an example of a situation in which you motivated others to achieve a result.
 As (title), how many others did you work with? How did you divide responsibilities?
 Describe a situation in which you were a member of a team with a specific goal. How did you reach your goal as a
team? What was your individual role?
 Let's talk about a time when you had to overcome an uncomfortable situation with others.
 Tell me about a time when you were working with a diverse group of people to accomplish something.
 Give me an example of building a productive relationship and maintaining it even in a difficult situation.
 Give me an example of a time when you had to present an idea for others' approval or agreement. What was the
result?
 Did you have to write a thesis? What was the result? (grade, was it published, is your thesis being applied
anywhere?).

 Tell me about a time when you had to pick out the most important things in some activity and make sure those got
done.
 Tell me about a time when you made a special effort to help someone learn to be more effective.
 Tell me about a time you successfully learned a new skill.
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7. MASTERY
(For applicable functions)

Develops mastery by constantly building and capitalizing on special areas of expertise
Applies knowledge for practical purposes
Creates, shares, and reapplies knowledge
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