Interviewing candidates for a leadership position carries a lot of pressure.  Hiring managers are looking to interview and hire the perfect person to direct and oversee processes, development and leadership.  On the flip side, interviewing for a leadership position can be intimidating.  You want to put your best foot forward and showcase, in a short amount of time, what you have to offer.  The goal is to confirm you are the best choice for the upper level position.  In both cases there is pressure to deliver.  As you prepare, we’ve rounded up seven interview questions to help you get ahead of the game.  Preparing and hiring for a leadership position takes time.  Let these questions be a jumping off point to start a conversation about how you or your potential candidate can influence the organization.

1. Describe for me the ideal manager-employee relationship.

2. Tell me about any special service efforts that might distinguish your performance from other employees?

3. Even a successful operation has room for improvement. In what areas would you want the employees under you to improve in the next six months? What can you do as a leader to facilitate that improvement?

4. How have you positively impacted the bottom line in your current position?

5. You have just been named the head of a unit and you are meeting for the first time with those who will be reporting to you. One of them asks you to give some ideas about what you are going to be emphasizing to everyone in the unit. What do you tell him?

6. What does management mean to you?

7. What is the most important contribution a manager/supervisor/leader can make in developing a shared sense of purpose among employees