tracylynnewhite's picture Submitted by tracylynnewhite on
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Manager Tools Trinity

Does anyone have information or can you suggest any resources for defining a list of questions to ask and topics to discuss that a supervisor would do with a new employee to establish a better relationship from the start (great onboarding conversation)? Questions and topics that would establish a great foundation for their working relationship. Things like:
· Leadership style
· Communication style and preferences
· What leadership behaviors the person values and appreciates in helping them be successful
· Who to go to for questions and resources

Thank you so much,

Tracy White

jhack's picture
Submitted by jhack on Tuesday April 1st, 2008 5:31 pm

The one on one podcasts http://www.manager-tools.com/2005/07/the-single-most-effective-managemen... have accompanying worksheets.

At the bottom of the O3 form is a list of questions. In combination with the O3 format overall, they might be just what you're looking for.

John

US101's picture
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Submitted by US101 on Wednesday April 2nd, 2008 12:03 am

Do you have kids? If yes, what are their names? Write them down.
What are you working on?
What do you enjoy doing?
What do you not enjoy doing?
What are your career goals or plans?
What are the strengths of our group?
What are the weaknesses of our group?
What is the perception of our group from outside our dept.?
What steps can we take that would be the simplest and have the biggest impact to improve the perception of our group?

HMac's picture
Submitted by HMac on Wednesday April 2nd, 2008 7:46 am

If there's some great idea you had, or some thought about improving the business that, for whatever reason, you gave up on or filed away on your hard drive, then dust it off and let's talk about it. I'd like to hear about it.

(Very invigorating - and if you set it up and conduct the discussion right, it won't be bitching about the past...it's not about the quality of that one idea; it's that you're demonstrating that you want to hear about their THINKING...).

MsSunshine's picture
Submitted by MsSunshine on Wednesday April 2nd, 2008 7:54 am

When I took over an existing group, I asked every 9 questions at a one hour meeting. Some won't work for you but some would apply. #5, #6 and #8 would work. #8 was interesting to hear. I was surprised how the most shy person opened up with wanting to move to Alaska and be a chef.

1. What are the biggest challenges we are facing or will be facing soon? Why are we facing them?
2. What is the most promising untapped area we should be exploring? What would need to happen to explore this?
3. If you were me, what would you focus on?
4. In your own words, what is the vision of the company and specifically how does it relate to what you are doing every day?
5. What are your strengths, talents, etc?
6. What are the strengths of others on the team?
7. Why do you do this job?
8. What are your dreams? If you could do anything, what would you be doing?
9. How do you feel generally? (The idea is to do this every month to get a barometer on how the team feels.)

Since then, I've discovered a few more I'm asking at 03's.
1. What kind of recognition do you like to receive? What kind are you comfortable giving? (i.e. money - large infrequent, small frequent; from boss; from peers)?
2. What would you do differently if you knew you couldn't fail?
3. What question are you hoping I will ask you?
4. What question are you hoping I won't ask you?
5. What are you REALLY committed to underneath all of this?
6. What are you passionate about?
7. What is the one thing you'd really like me to do for you or do differently?