Book 6: Framing Positive Questions

4. Recognize the Reoccurring Themes

When interviewing and sharing stories with someone, recognize the reoccurring themes that each person shares. Look for a pattern in what they have experienced and achieved and what they have in common. Some of the common themes you may hear include commitment, expertise, trust, etc. When you recognize the reoccurring themes, you can decide together which one, or ones, are the most important and which ones you favor the most for the company. With these themes, you can build a plan together because you will know what each of you value and exactly what you will want from the experience.

Common reoccurring themes in interviews:

• Commitment – Seeing a project through to the end
• Loyalty – Staying even when the going gets tough
• Experience – Valuable on many levels
• Cohesion – Teamwork and being a team player