Leadership
What strong references actually tell you
Editorial draft · Publication date awaiting approval
Sample editorial content awaiting review and sourcing. Not a verified research publication or advice for a specific appointment.
A reference call is only useful if you ask the questions most people avoid.
Speak to people who worked for the candidate, not only those they reported to. Teams see behaviour that bosses miss.
Ask for specific examples: a decision that went wrong, a difficult conversation, a time they changed their mind.
Listen for what is not said. Hesitation on a simple question is often more telling than a long answer.