New MD coming in for an interview- what to ask him?
Discussion
blindswelledrat said:
Don't do that. He will mark you down as a prick forever. Don't under any circumstances 'interview' him
I think there is only one answer really. Don't try and do anything, just have a chat and let him guide the conversation, and slip relevant questions in there during the chat.
Broadly agree with this. Ask him his views on corporate culture and values, his vision for the business, what attracts him to the business etc. on no account 'interview' him.I think there is only one answer really. Don't try and do anything, just have a chat and let him guide the conversation, and slip relevant questions in there during the chat.
Remember; he will be forming a view on whether he wants to keep you in his senior team and you should be testing whether he is going to create/continue the environment that you want to work in
You could take a more open approach - a dialogue rather than interview
"What attracted you to our company?"
"What do see as the big challenges for the company and sector?"
"What do you see as the big opportunities in coming years?"
"What do you look for your management team?"
"What do you think success might look like for the first 30-60-90 days?"
why would the md ask you for feedback on how you get on, after already giving him the job. Surely that is something at the interview stage to work out?
I would say he is feeling the management team out and what deadwood they can get rid off.
I had a MD nice as pie to your face, but used people as his enforcers and made out he knew nothing about it.
I would say he is feeling the management team out and what deadwood they can get rid off.
I had a MD nice as pie to your face, but used people as his enforcers and made out he knew nothing about it.
IanCormac said:
I'm curious, who interviewed him for the job if not the current management team? Who are 'they'?
The Board / Owners.The incoming CEO will (IME) have been interviewed by Chair, a NED, and HR Director. Usually the top 3 candidates mix with the Board over a lunch or something and then give their feedback to interview panel afterwards. It's also a good way for the new CEO to find out what their direct reports are like.
Edited by Countdown on Wednesday 21st December 07:22
Frimley111R said:
Our company is getting a new MD and the one they are favouring is due to come in early in Jan to meet with the management team individually (of which I am one). What should I ask him? the business owner wants our feedback on whether he'll be good/work well with us/for us etc.
Has he been offered the job yet? ETA is he CEO or MD?
TIGA84 said:
blindswelledrat said:
"Don't under any circumstances 'interview' him"
"slip relevant questions in there during the chat."
Whats the difference here?"slip relevant questions in there during the chat."
ATG said:
In the UK they are generally the same thing. What distinction were you trying to make?
Someone mentioned MD, someone mentioned CEO, I wondered which it was.I have both and have had before, I've always had MD as operational primarily facing downwards (direct reports, performance, bottom line etc) and CEO, less operational and facing upwards (shareholders, strategy, direction, markets etc).
ATG said:
TIGA84 said:
ETA is he CEO or MD?
In the UK they are generally the same thing. What distinction were you trying to make? an 'executive chairman ' is a MD/CE who doesn;t have a chairman of the board as a seperate role ( chair being Chief NED)
Good advice. The current owners have met him and like him but want to double check with us to see if we agree. Its not our decision of course but I wanted to ask him something constructive but not interview him as such as that's not what its supposed to be about.
I'll remember not ot start with 'So...'
I'll remember not ot start with 'So...'
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