Questions for Leader Interview

I would like to interview Eric Bennett, who is the CEO of the company my mom works for, Tolleson Wealth Management.  I would like to get Eric's perspective from a CEO standpoint as to what it takes to be a leader in the business world.  I would ask Eric some of the following questions.

My second option for an interviewee would be my uncle Mike Klein.  He also is a leader in the business world today.  He is the Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank.  I believe he also would have a great insight to what it takes to become a leader in the business world.

My third option for an interviewee would be my close family friend, Andrea Clay.  She has owned her own successful law practice for over 20 years.  She also has four sons that all attend Cistercian High school and are all very invovled in athletic and academic activities.  I believe Andrea would have great insight to not only what it takes to be a leader in the business world of a law firm but also in the house hold with trying to manage her four boys.

1.       In your opinion, what traits do you believe a leader must have?

2.       What has been your biggest challenge as a leader in a business environment?

3.       What do you think has made you successful as a business leader?

4.       Do you believe a leader can improve their skills through experience?

5.       How do you continue to grow as a leader?

6.       What’s the hardest part of being a leader?

7.       Who has influenced, or looked up to, in developing your leadership skills?

8.       Do you think leaders are born or made?

Leaders: Born or Made?

  I agree that leadership abilities can be substantially improved given the opportunity for feedback and practice.  However for leadership abilities to be improved, there must be a strong desire and persistence to lead which is also stated in the quote above.  I believe that you are “born” with a desire to lead. If one has no desire to lead then they will not take advantage of opportunities to improve leadership skills and take on leadership roles.

Personal Best Leadership Experience

All teammates in all sports need to form a tight bond or friendship off the court or field to be able to have chemistry on the court or field.  For me this applies to basketball.  Our Parish Varsity basketball team took a trip together to my ranch to try and strengthen our friendships and bring us together to help make us a better basketball team.  Although the trip to my family’s ranch wasn’t exactly my idea, I had to show leadership because most of the players on the basketball team had never done many of the activities my family and I do out there on a regular basis.  I had to demonstrate the safety precautions related to our activities and lead by example with these safety precautions.  I had to communicate directions as each group took on certain tasks related to the team dinner, such as gathering fire wood, setting the table, and helping with the preparation of the steak dinner.  I followed through with making sure each player had an opportunity to participate.  As a result of our successful trip, our basketball team’s chemistry was greatly improved.  We had greater success on the court and made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in Parish basketball history.