What questions should you ask your mentee during a leadership transition?

A leadership transition is a critical moment for any organization and its people. It can also be a challenging and stressful time for the leader who is taking on a new role or responsibility. As an executive coach, you can play a vital role in supporting your mentee during this period of change and uncertainty. One of the most effective ways to do that is to ask powerful questions that help your mentee reflect, learn, and grow. In this article, we will explore some of the questions you should ask your mentee during a leadership transition and why they are important.

1 The purpose question

What is the purpose of your new role and how does it align with your personal and professional goals? This question helps your mentee clarify the expectations and objectives of their new position and how they relate to their vision and values. It also helps them identify any gaps or misalignments that they need to address or communicate. By asking this question, you can help your mentee find meaning and motivation in their new role and align their actions with their purpose.

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Beth Hocking

Destination C-Suite? LFG! Leadership Coach for high-achieving Women changing the face of the corporate landscape, one Legacy at a time | Keynote Speaker | Career Strategist
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I would ask - 'How will you know if you've been successful?' Then enables the mentee to begin thinking about their own measures of success so they can also align their thoughts with that of their line manager to ensure a cohesive strategy and plan for measuring success in their new role to know for sure that they are on the right track.

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Kaleeem Ullah

Top Branding Voice.LinkedIn profile optimisation expert for CEO's, Creators, Coaches and Consultants || Linkedin Content creation & SEO Specialist || Linkedin Personal Branding
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@caroline Dussueil, Great start! 🌟 I'd ask what drives their move to leadership and how they define being a leader. It's crucial to focus on more than just financial incentives and consider the impact on others’ professional growth.

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Hadia Tabazah

Freelance Translator | Legal Translation, Data Entry
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One Time at Work: In a particularly challenging project, our team faced a tight deadline and unexpected obstacles. Despite the pressure, our collaborative efforts prevailed. It was a defining moment that showcased the strength of teamwork and adaptability, leaving an indelible mark on my approach to handling high-stakes situations in the workplace. In My Experience: Over the years, I've learned that effective leadership extends beyond expertise and authority—it hinges on empathy and clear communication. Navigating diverse work environments and managing teams, I've witnessed the transformative power of understanding individual strengths, fostering a positive culture,and being receptive to feedback. This holistic approach has driven success

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2 The strengths question

What are your core strengths and how can you leverage them in your new role? This question helps your mentee recognize and appreciate their unique talents and abilities and how they can use them to create value and impact in their new role. It also helps them identify any areas where they need to develop or improve their skills or knowledge. By asking this question, you can help your mentee build confidence and competence in their new role and leverage their strengths to overcome challenges and achieve results.

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3 The feedback question

What kind of feedback do you need and how will you seek it in your new role? This question helps your mentee understand the importance of feedback for their learning and performance in their new role. It also helps them plan how to solicit and receive feedback from various sources, such as their boss, peers, subordinates, customers, or stakeholders. By asking this question, you can help your mentee develop a feedback-seeking mindset and behavior that will enable them to adapt and improve in their new role.

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Hadia Tabazah

Freelance Translator | Legal Translation, Data Entry
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One Thing I've Found Helpful: The practice of active listening has proven invaluable in my professional journey. Actively engaging with colleagues, clients, and team members not only fosters a deeper understanding but also cultivates stronger relationships. This skill has not only enriched collaboration but has been a cornerstone in resolving conflicts, driving innovation, and building a resilient and united work culture.

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4 The relationship question

Who are the key people you need to build relationships with in your new role and how will you do that? This question helps your mentee identify and prioritize the stakeholders and influencers that they need to connect and collaborate with in their new role. It also helps them plan how to establish rapport, trust, and credibility with them and how to manage any potential conflicts or issues. By asking this question, you can help your mentee cultivate a network of support and influence that will facilitate their success in their new role.

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Emma Collyer

Leadership & Career Coach | Helping Managers and Directors, get to the next level in their careers and thrive in their roles.
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In my experience, this knowledge will evolve over time. You won't know all the key people immediately on transitioning to a new role. It will become evident as you work with different people and collaborate on projects. It is helpful however to have this question in mind and start asking the people you do know, who else it would be helpful to connect with, to build your network and learn more about the business.

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5 The challenge question

What are the main challenges or opportunities that you anticipate or face in your new role and how will you approach them? This question helps your mentee analyze and anticipate the situations and scenarios that they may encounter or create in their new role. It also helps them plan how to deal with them effectively and creatively, using their strengths, resources, and strategies. By asking this question, you can help your mentee prepare and respond to the challenges or opportunities that arise in their new role.

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6 The growth question

What are your learning goals and how will you pursue them in your new role? This question helps your mentee define and prioritize the areas where they want to grow and develop in their new role. It also helps them plan how to pursue their learning goals, using various methods and sources, such as coaching, mentoring, training, reading, or experimenting. By asking this question, you can help your mentee foster a growth mindset and behavior that will enable them to thrive and excel in their new role.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What questions should you ask your mentee during a leadership transition?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 The purpose question

2 The strengths question

3 The feedback question

4 The relationship question

5 The challenge question

6 The growth question

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Coaching

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What questions should you ask your mentee during a leadership transition?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 The purpose question

2 The strengths question

3 The feedback question

4 The relationship question

5 The challenge question

6 The growth question

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Coaching

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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