Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#1

Post by muhamm » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:01 PM UTC

I'm not speaking anatomically. In an interview situation, regardless of which side of the table you're sitting on, what can you ask to determine what type of person you're dealing with (on a personal level)?

The same could apply to a dating situation where you have the difficult task of summing someone up in a short period of time. But I'm primarily concerned with a professional context.

Is there a single question you can ask, the answer to which would reveal what type of person you are dealing with and whether you are likely to get along well with that person?

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#2

Post by josh_nyc » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:12 PM UTC

"What do you love?"

Seems to work in all kinds of situations. Occam's Razor, anyone?

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#3

Post by vaksel » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:22 PM UTC

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#4

Post by pj » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:23 PM UTC

If you could change one thing about humanity, what would it be?

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:27 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#6

Post by edw519 » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:27 PM UTC

"Is there a single question..."

No. And there shouldn't be.

Instead of spending time and energy trying to determine the perfect quesiton, why don't you just spend that same time and energy actually talking to people.

Talk about anything. Listen as much as you talk. "Engage" them. After 5 minutes of sincere (this is key!) interaction and a half dozen subjects, you'll probably have a pretty good idea of where their heart is.

A low tech solution that has been working very well forever. All it takes is a little practice.

OTOH, if you don't do this and probe with a single question, you'll look phony and won't learn anything.

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#7

Post by octane » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:34 PM UTC

People lie out their ass in interviews. They're also likely to jump ship at any time in the future for a wide variety of reasons. Maybe they just don't like the leftovers you bring to work because it stinks up the office. Who knows. It's called risk, it's real, and if you're an entrepreneur or businessman you better get used to it.

Ask them a few technical questions to make sure they aren't full of it, use your gut and intuition, do a probationary contract period, and hire them after 2 or 3 months if they're good. Some successful managers don't even do the contract period. If you can't successfully judge people at least on a semi-consistent basis, you might want to try finding a business partner who can.

At some point running a business, you have to learn what "risk" and "unknown" really means - it means you have no fucking clue what's going to happen. Plan for outcomes, don't plan on outcomes.

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#8

Post by pierrefar » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:35 PM UTC

Whether you get along with that person or not depends on what's important to you.

There is a great book about body language called What Every Body is Saying by an ex-FBI agent. Excellent read and be forewarned that you'll start seeing other people in a very different light. Heck, it will make you think twice about what and how you say things. On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/What-Every-BODY-Saying-Speed-Reading/d... .

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#9

Post by bdr » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:41 PM UTC

If there's one question that tells you where someone's heart is, it'll be one they ask, not you.

Re: Ask HN: What question would tell you where someone's heart is?

#10

Post by Tangurena » Fri, Apr 24, 2009, 5:58 PM UTC

edw519 wrote: post #6

"Is there a single question..." No. And there shouldn't be. Instead of spending time and energy trying to determine the perfect quesiton, why don't you just spend that same time and energy actually talking to people . Talk about anything. Listen as much as you talk. "Engage" them. After 5 minutes of sincere (this is key!) interaction and a half dozen subjects, you'll probably have a pretty good idea of where their he…

Exactly, What the OP is looking for is some sort of "litmus test" to apply to candidates.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litmus_test_(politics)

There exists no single question that is usable to filter good from bad candidates. Interviews are littered with nonsense like "what is your greatest weakness" because some idiot thought that to be some useful litmus test.