LDR 200: Community Leader Interview

Due Sunday of Week 6

The purpose of this activity is for you to identify and interview someone in your community who is a leader. Leaders can be from any field such as a someone in a formal elected position (city or local government), supervisors from any professional or business field, educational administrators or someone in a community leadership role (service organization, non-profit, scouting, religious organization). You should tell this person that you are taking a class in Leadership and would like to interview him or her. You should not interview a family member.

Explain that the interview would last about 30 minutes. Preferably, the interview should be conducted face-to-face; however, it is permissible to conduct the interview over Zoom or Webex or by phone. Use the interview guide below, take notes about your subject's responses, and state your appreciation for his or her assistance when you are finished with the interview and maybe with a follow up thank you note or email.

Put together essay about your experience and integrate the following questions: (approximately 500 words in length).

• Describe the context in which this person is a leader.
• What industry do they work in, how does this impact their leadership?
• How would you describe this individual's leadership skills, traits and values?
• What specific leadership theory or theories do you connect them to as a result of their responses and/or your knowledge of their leadership role-why?
• In what ways is this person an effective leader?
• In what way would this person like to develop further as a leader?
• How will this interaction impact your future leadership opportunities?

Suggested Interview Protocol

Instructions to Interviewer:

Read over the interview questions carefully before you conduct the interview. You may need to adapt the interview for the particular person with whom you engage in this interview. The opening statement is a good way to start the interview so the person knows exactly why they are being interviewed. Write down notes to be used in your response essay.

Opening Statement:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I'm taking a class on Leadership and I have to interview someone who is in a position of leadership. When I learned of this assignment, I thought that you would be a good person to interview. I have a number of questions and I will be taking notes of your responses.

Suggested Questions

You do not have to use this exact list and can modify accordingly:

1. How long have you held this position and/or been involved with this organization?

1. Why did you choose this organization or position?

1. Why are you interested in your field or industry?

1. What did you do to prepare for your current role? (amount of time, training)

1. Tell me about your leadership style. How do you approach leading people?

1. In terms of interpersonal skills, what would you say are your greatest strength as a leader?

1. What would you say are your greatest strengths in terms of structuring and organizing tasks for others?

1. How important is innovation or creativity in your role as a leader?

1. How has COVID or other crisis moments impacted your leadership?

1. Would you give me an example of a time when you were challenged to be innovative in your role? How did get others to accept the innovation you were initiating?

1. Please describe experiences you have had that have changed the way you think about being leader or helped you to develop as a leader.

1. In our current society, name someone well-known that you feel exemplifies effective leadership?

1. Is there anything else that you'd like to tell me about leadership or your experience as a leader?

1. What advice do you have for aspiring leaders?

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me.