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Finding out about the company: How to interpret team dynamics and leadership before even entering the role?

When evaluating a potential workplace, how do you get a sense of the working relationship between managers and team members in a respectful way?

Are there subtle signs during interviews or informal conversations that indicate whether leadership is supportive versus controlling or disengaged?

corporate-culture
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Joseph’s Answer

In short, you never really know. Interviews might go well when discussing how your past experience matches the job description. However, the real challenge is whether you fit in, which often involves reading between the lines of the interview questions.

When they ask, "Could you tell me something about yourself?" they might really mean, "Are you the type of person I imagine for this role?"

When they ask, "What do you really want to do?" they might be thinking, "Are you aiming for my job?"

When they ask, "How would you handle this situation?" they might actually be saying, "Tell me how to handle this because I couldn't figure it out."

I could persuade interviewers—and maybe even myself—that I was the ideal candidate. In one case, I accepted a job for less pay than my previous one, and then faced an additional 10% pay cut due to company-wide cost-saving. To top it off, on my first day, I found out they had laid off five writers and their manager and expected me to replace them all, as most of the work had been outsourced to Russia.
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Catalina M’s Answer

During every interaction with the company, learn about its culture. Remember, the selection process is mutual; they choose you, and you choose them. Here are some questions you can ask:

- What was the biggest surprise when you joined the company?
- How often do leaders provide feedback?
- How much independence do team members have?

Request specific examples to get clearer insights.
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Kim’s Answer

Besides the advice given earlier, consider reaching out to potential team members. For instance, you might ask:

1) Can I talk to someone who would be my peer on the team? I'd like to learn more about the daily work and team culture.

2) I find it useful to hear different viewpoints. Would it be helpful to connect with a team member now?

Talking to team members can help you see how open people are with their opinions, how they manage conflicts, workload, and feedback, and if the team is engaged and genuine!
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Morgan’s Answer

To evaluate team dynamics and leadership before joining, pay attention to both what is said and how it’s said during interviews and informal conversations. Ask open, respectful questions like, “Can you describe how the team collaborates with leadership?” or “How does the manager support the team’s growth and problem-solving?” Listen for cues in tone and examples: leaders who share concrete ways they mentor, provide feedback, and recognize contributions usually indicate supportive leadership, while vague answers, avoidance, or negative phrasing about employees can suggest controlling or disengaged management. Subtle signs—such as interviewers speaking positively about colleagues, encouraging questions, or showing enthusiasm for team achievements—often reveal a healthy dynamic, whereas defensive responses or lack of clarity about roles and decision-making may signal potential challenges.
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