Introduction to the Course Project - The Big Interview

The Course Project - The Big Interview is an opportunity for you to analyze the practice of
ethics, integrity, and social responsibility in the "real world" by conducting an interview of a
leadership figure and continuing your exploration of our dominant research question "What
makes for an ethical leader?".

To complete this course project, which is due in Week 7, you will:

1. Identify one individual whom you believe can enhance our understanding of what makes
for an ethical leader.

o Your interviewee should be an individual who is:

o
 Highly influential in society;
 Influential in an organization or business to which you belong; and/or
 Influential in your field.

NOTE: Stretch yourself- reach out to someone who may not know well but would like to know
better.

2. Submit the following information to your instructor by the end of Week 2:

Name of leadership figure

o
Title of leadership figure
o
Your relationship with leadership figure (if a relationship exists)
o
Why you selected this individual
o
NOTE: Your instructor MUST approve your interview subject, and may contact
o
him/her to verify your interview arrangements.
3. By the end of Week 4, schedule the date/time you will complete the interview with your
approved interview subject.

4. Create a written interview protocol BEFORE your interview (some subjects want to see
the questions before hand).
o Your interview protocol MUST include the following five (5) basic questions:

ii. Can you please share the story of how you came to be in your current position?
What were some of the key events in your life that lead you here?
iii. How did you come by your values? What key events or people influenced your
values? What values are most important to you? How do you try and practice
these values on a day to day basis?
iv. Do you use an ethical reflection or decision making process? How do you make
ethical decisions?
v. Can you share at least one story of when you faced and ethical dilemma and what
did you learn from this experience?
vi. What are the greatest ethical challenges you face in your position?
 vii. How would you define "ethical leader"? What makes someone an "ethical
leader"? What makes someone an "unethical leader"?

o You may reformat the questions above to make them more relevant to your
interview subject.
o You may add clarifying questions as necessary - however, your interview protocol
should NOT exceed seven (7) major questions.
o The interview should take between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on subject.

5. Conduct an interview with the subject in person.

6. Compose an eight (8) page summary of learning from the interview, to be submitted by
the end of Week 7.
o Your project paper MUST include:
o
 The name and title of your interview subject, your relationship to the
interviewee, and why you selected him/her for this project.
 The process you used to obtain and complete the interview.
 Your impressions, and your interviewee’s impressions, of the interview
process, questions, and assignment.
 A synopsis of what you learned from being an interviewer.
 A brief profile of the subject.
 The interview subject’s key life markers and values.
 A discussion of how the interviewee has integrated his/her values into
his/her life.
 A description of the ethical reflection process and/or ethical decision
making process the interviewee uses.
 At least one example of an ethical dilemma your subject encountered, how
he/she responded, and what he/she learned about him/her-self.
 The greatest ethical challenges your interview subject faces in his/her
current position.
 Your interviewee’s definition of an "ethical leader" and "unethical leader".
 A discussion of what YOU learned about ethical leadership from the
subject and this assignment.

Tips for a Successful Interview:

 Schedule an interview time as soon as your subject is approved by your instructor.


NOTE: It is not unusual to encounter canceled and/or rescheduled appointments,
o
so be prepared to be flexible.
 Record the interview, if at all possible.

o Explain the purpose of the interview - "This interview is solely for educational
purposes, and will only be used in the classroom setting."
o Subjects tend to be more open to the interview when they understand the
information obtained will solely be used for a confidential class project.
 o Taping the interview allows you to capture data while remaining focused on your
subject.
o Even if you record the interview, take notes to support your findings.
o Recording devices can fail - therefore, taking hand-written notes is an important
contingency plan in case something goes wrong with your recording.
 Prepare your interview protocol in advance of your meeting. Bring written copies of your
interview questions for you and for your interview subject.

o Consider providing the interview questions to your subject 2-3 days in advance of
your scheduled meeting, so he/she can prepare thoughtful answers to share with
you.
o NOTE: This is not a "normal" facts-only interview. Allow the subject as much
time and space as he/she needs to reflect on the questions.
 Remain connected with the interview subject at all times during the interview.
 Identify and reserve a quiet, distraction-free environment for the interview.

o Consider using local library study or conference rooms.
 Within 48 hours after the interview, send a written “Thank you” follow-up note to
express your appreciation for the interview subject’s time and candor.