In any high – level management search, employers look for passionate individuals who wake up each day craving success, and can channel that passion into actions and results. Companies respect those who have the strength to learn why they failed, what to do in the future to succeed, and the willpower to get back on the horse and try again. But there is another crucial attribute as it relates to identifying future leaders: the stress test.

Why the Stress Test?

Good leaders can keep cool even when the situation provokes an emotional reaction. But great leaders also help everybody else stay calm and contribute to the imminent situation and impending objectives. There is a difference between managing one’s self and managing the reactions of others, and the two don’t necessarily go hand in hand.

Screening for Stress

It is commonly known that individuals put their best foot forward throughout the interviewing process – both applicants and hiring managers alike. This begs the question: when do you really get to know what is underneath the surface? Consider some of the following questions to uncover a candidates aptitude for stress management:

• I don’t think I understand your answer. Can you please explain it differently?
• How would you handle putting in a couple hours of overtime after a busy, stressful day?
• Tell me about a time when you didn’t reach a goal. How would we know the same situation wouldn’t occur here?
• What advice would you give to calm down a colleague who is stressed out about a deadline?
• How do you ensure that stressful situations in your personal life don’t affect your work performance?

Coaching Stress Management to Prevent Burnout

Keep in mind, stress management is a skill that can certainly be learned. But, improving stress management capabilities is one thing; bringing employees to the brink of burnout is another. Create a healthy balance between high achievement and high enjoyment. Instead of your next brainstorming meeting being conducted in the office, take a walk instead – you will be surprised as to how the creative moments can flow in a more relaxed setting.

Get to know your staff’s personal and professional goals for the year, and take responsibility for helping them achieve at least one or two of them yourself. Make progress on helping uncover the future potential of each player on your team; they have put their careers in your hands and it is a responsibility that should be taken seriously.

Finding True Hospitality Leaders

When interviewing candidates, it takes experience to know how to coax out true personalities. Contact our recruiters today to find out how we can identify key traits in management candidates for hotels, restaurants, senior living facilities, and private clubs.

Horizon Hospitality a proud member of the Sanford Rose Associates® network of offices.