George Buckley, former CEO of 3M, has said “It’s better to have your shadow on results rather than your fingerprints.” While lights shine on a team and its work, that kind of leader stays behind the scenes. These interviews brought some of them into the light to show the knowledge and skills and experiences that made them successful. I asked each leader the same questions and let the answers take their course. Each person’s story is unique but you’ll see some of the same themes appear in their comments. I hope you find their stories interesting, instructional, and inspiring.
- There are said to be five major forces that form our beliefs: family, religion, education, friends and media. Which of these has been most influential on your beliefs?
- What childhood experiences formed your early valuesand beliefs?
- How did your education influence your thinking?
- What early work experiences motivated you to pursue the path you chose?
- How did you lead your organization(s)? What were the characteristics you demonstrated that made you effective?
- What did you accomplish? Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
- How did you enable people to exercise their personal power and leadership?
- What are your management philosophies?
- Tell me your views on innovation.
- What crucibleexperiences transformed your thinking about yourself and your role in your family? Your professional life? Your role in any organization?
- Who do you consider examples of great leaders, and what are the characteristics that make them exceptional leaders?
- Talk about how your thinking has evolved over the years.
- How do you see the world now compared to when you began your career?
- Did it evolve gradually so that you hardly noticed, or were there “aha” moments that caused you to change? Describe those incidents and what resulted.
- How has the work environment today changed from when you began your career?
- Would those changes affect the way your thinking developed?
- What one message would you want readers to learn from your experience?