Information and/or Technology Leader Interview
This is an individual project.
You will be responsible for seeking out a leader to interview from your network of contacts.
Criteria for selecting the leader: The leader’s job title does not matter, but they should be responsible for managing information and technology solutions in their organization. Managing information and technology can involve designing, developing, purchasing, implementing, or maintaining information and technology solutions. Select a leader who would be willing to answer ALL the questions below.
Sample information or technology solutions include but are not limited to desktops, laptops, mobile devices, websites, databases, mobile apps, networks, audio/video equipment, social media platforms, data/business analytics software, and cloud-based solutions.
You can select any organization of your choice, including but not limited to libraries, non-profits, schools, academic units in universities, research centers, government agencies, law firms, shopping malls, hospitals, small businesses, radio stations, and marketing agencies.
No two classmates should knowingly select the same leader.
You can interview the leader/manager in person, online, or over the phone.
Submit your text response on Canvas under this discussion board, equivalent to a double-spaced, 10-page typed paper with Font Type: Times New Roman, Font Size 12, summarizing your discussion with your leader. The max page limit is ten, and min page limit is seven pages.
Do not write the report in a question-and-answer format, and do not write direct quotes from the leader.
Follow the following format for your discussion: “When asked about the daily activities, the leader explained that supervising ………..” The paper should focus on your understanding of the leader’s responses.
You must ask the following questions and include the responses in your report. Ask follow-up questions if the leader provides brief answers. You are expected to seek detailed answers to the following questions. Number each response:
Background: Name of the leader (Use your judgment), the title of the leader (Use your judgment), name of the information organization, years in a current leadership position, and number of direct reports (i.e., the number of people working under the leader’s supervision) (5 points)
What are the daily activities you would define as leadership/managerial activities? (5 points)
What are the biggest challenges you face in being a leader/manager? (5 points)
What are the biggest rewards for you in being a leader/manager? (5 points)
What are the greatest influencers of leadership/managerial success in your organization? (5 points)
How important, if at all, is it for managers to be sensitive to employees’ work-life issues/needs? (5 points)
How do you handle stress in the workplace? What are the familiar sources of stress in the workplace for the employees and a leader/manager? (5 points)
How would you describe your leadership/managerial style, for example, employee-oriented, task-oriented, or a balance of both? (5 points)
What is the role of information in managing or leading any team or organization? (5 points)
What is the role of technology in managing or leading any team or organization? (5 points)
What is the role of organizational policies and external factors in managing or leading any team or organization? (5 points)
Do you think people can learn to be leaders? Are some people “born” leaders? Why/Why not? (5 points)
Do you enjoy being a leader/manager? What advice/tips would you give individuals interested in becoming a leader/manager? (5 points)
What advice/tips/guidance would you offer to individuals interested in becoming a leader or a manager? (5 points)
You are free to ask additional or follow-up questions and report the answers of the leader/manager at this point.
To answer the following questions, reflect on the above responses and your overall interview experience.
15. Share your top 3 lessons from this leader/manager interview. (10 points)
16. How would you lead or manage any group/organization in the future? Provide specific examples. (10 points)
17. How did your understanding of leadership or management change after this interview? Provide examples. (10 points)
Instructions:
You should not get “Yes” or “No” as your answer to the questions you ask. Your job as the interviewer is to ask questions/probe to understand the responses better.
Your final grade will be a mix of content (e.g., asking questions and describing the responses), format, and grammar.
Please keep your interview notes carefully in case I ask you to submit them for reference.
