Assignment
Each student is required to conduct and record a half-hour long interview with a person in a management position in an organization. The recording may be audio or video. You should choose a person to interview and make an appointment explaining that the purpose of the interview is to learn about leadership and gain practical insights.
Notes: The leadership interview is an accreditation requirement for the HCAD program.
Ensure to notify the interviewee that you will be recording the encounter. The laws pertaining to recording vary by state. It is recommended that you obtain verbal or written agreement from the participant to be recorded (this can be the first item in the interview)
The interview must be transcribed and presented as a written report. The report should at least 6 but no more than 10 pages, double spaced, 1-inch margins, and Times New Roman, 12 point font. The report must have 4 elements:
Cover page: Your name, course number, and date
Introduction: Who you interviewed and why (credentials, experience, position, etc.).
Interview: The questions asked and the responses received.
Analysis / Assessment: Your evaluation of the interviewer's leadership philosophy, approach, and skills, as related to the course concepts. This assessment is expected to compare the interviewee's responses to specific leadership concepts.
With regard to the interview, sample questions include the following:
How did you get to where you are today?
How would you qualify your leadership style (e.g., servant, transformational, democratic, etc.)?
What do you find most admirable in people? Why are those things so important to you?
Who is your favorite leader and why?
What were the top principles you have learned?
How would you complete the sentence, "People should ..."? (2-3 ideas)
What's the purpose of your life?
What's the best way to get others to do what you want them to do?
What are the two most important events in your life and what did you learn from them?
You are encouraged to develop your own inquiry. This is an opportunity to explore the intangible factors of leadership.
You will submit the transcribed interview as the assignment; due to file size limitations, do not upload the actual recorded interview.