Leadership Interview

1. How important is the team motivation in the process of developing new software products; if a customer needs a custom-developed product in a short time how would you motivate the developers to reach the deadline? Motivation is a key ingredient. Unfortunately I didnt find so far the magic recipe to motivate people in any circumstances. I believe that working with passion, liking what you are doing are the best (and natural) ways of motivating people. 2. Which are the most challenging features of daily activities in the current business context?
Please name at least three

To keep people focused To keep people happy To keep people together 3. If a project timeline goes beyond customer expectation do you feel accountant for this? As long as it happens because of your team (or even company) fault you feel accountant. 4. To what extent do you think that the needs and personal satisfaction of the team should influence a project plan or should induce changes in order to succeed? As a general approach I think people should work with passion and even happiness. If this is happens the people will be satisfied and their needs (part of them) will be fulfilled. In the real life there are situations when you should make also things that maybe you dont like or you dont consider attractive. You may go trough if they are part of a bigger project that you like and you want to build it. Afterwards when you cook a nice cake you should also wash the dishes to complete your work. 5. Would you acknowledge failure as a way to success? I prefer the success as the best way to success. It is very hard to accept failure. If you have used your entire energy and knowledge you might swallow the pill easier but always a failure may affect you. To become stronger is essential to understand why you failed, what was wrong (or not good enough) and how (if) you can improve. And to still believe. 6. How do you appreciate the personal ambition of a team member; is it a necessary quality to achieve the success in a software project? Personal ambition is an important factor as long as the people will not go on the dark side of the force. 7. Facing challenges would you move away from them or move towards them?

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You should weight carefully what you can achieve and what you have to give for this achievement. Facing challenges is not only an act of courage it is also an act of wisdom. If you are confident that you can and you want then go for it. 8. Do you consider that the success in an implementation project depends on a strict set of rules and procedures? Yes it depends a lot but there are also other things which counts. Every project has is own particularity therefore is important to be flexible and to use the rules in an effective manner. 9. Do you consider penalties a useful tool in obtaining the discipline for a team to provide maximum efficiency in a task? Unfortunately the penalties are more effective than the positive stimulus. The key is to maintain the discipline in a positive and creative environment. If people are aware about the discipline code and if the penalties are used in a fair way they will help in maintaining the discipline and the sense of rightness between the team members. But you always should add the positive stimulus to have a well balanced approach. 10. In the planning of an implementation project do you find important the understanding of the tasks by the employees? It is essential. Therefore you have not only to explain the tasks but also to talk with them and to see if they have understood. 11. How important is the self-discipline of the employees in the productivity of an implementation project? I believe is mandatory. 12. Which are the forces that initiate a personal transformation? Sometime we are realizing that is a mismatch between us and our objectives, whishes or dreams. Or a mismatch between us and most of the people around . So we realize that is the time for a change, for a personal transformation. To be successful in doing this I think is important to believe, to have a strong will to make this transformation. And to be sure that our destination is reachable. 13. If you have some deadlines during the holiday season would you request employees to work and have some days off after the delivery of the project? In general yes, but it depends on the peoples physical and mental status. If they come after a very tough period maybe is better to let them to rest. An empty battery will never light the bulb regardless how great skills you have in connecting them. 14. Do you consider the deadline of a project more important than the quality of the work? If you have to choose the quality is more important from my point of view. If you reach the deadline but the quality is low the customers satisfaction will be for a short period and will soon

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shift to no satisfaction. If you have delays is better to explain them to the customer and to deliver a quality work. A quality product and service will make, in time, the people to forget about the delay. But be careful this is not the right way for your business. You should deliver good quality in time! 15. Do you encourage the employees to contribute to decision making process? People participation in the decision process is at the foundation of the success for many companies. It should be the culture of the company,, not a rule or procedure, to let the people express themselves. The managers should be open to people ideas and to take in consideration any valuable idea coming from their side. So everybody could and should contribute in building a decision base and encouraging them is a good approach. On the other hand the decision process should be formalized.. The company (the project, the team, etc) should have a decision body where few representative and competent people participate in the decision process (they take decisions) and are responsible for their decisions.

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