▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPersistent patterns, honest self-reflection.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, recurring feedback. Shows they've processed it seriously.▸ RED FLAGSClaims they've never received the same feedback twice.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEDo you agree with it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEgo, teamwork, humility.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEComfortable asking — sees it as efficient, not weak.▸ RED FLAGSStrongly avoids it. Or asks too readily without trying first.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about a time asking for help led to a significantly better outcome.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness of gaps, humility.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest and specific. Often reveals a genuine development area.▸ RED FLAGSDeflects with 'I'm not jealous of anyone.'▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's stopped you from developing it yourself?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHonesty, self-awareness, stress signals.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest, specific, and shows awareness of the impact on others.▸ RED FLAGSDenies having a 'worst self' at work. Or describes a version that's disqualifying.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat triggers that version of you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-positioning, identity, intentionality.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, consistent with the rest of the interview.▸ RED FLAGSVague, performative, or hasn't thought about it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEDoes your current company know that's how you want to be known?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEgo, vulnerability, trust-building.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEComfortable enough to be wrong publicly. Sees it as human.▸ RED FLAGSVery uncomfortable. Or so indifferent they're cavalier about accuracy.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about a time you were wrong in front of a senior audience.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSResilience, emotional regulation, authenticity.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAcknowledges it honestly. Has specific strategies for working through it.▸ RED FLAGSEither denies it entirely or seems crippled by it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat triggers it most for you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSNuance, self-awareness, honest self-appraisal.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKETrait that genuinely has two sides. Articulates both honestly.▸ RED FLAGSOnly sees one side of the trait.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIn what situations does the negative side show up most?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEvolution, growth, wisdom.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEReal assumption with real consequences and real learning.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one. Or describes something trivially obvious.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow did finding out you were wrong affect you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEmotional intelligence, confidence, humility.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAccepts it gracefully. Neither dismisses it nor is excessively needy for it.▸ RED FLAGSEither deflects entirely or over-relies on external validation.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat type of recognition means the most to you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHumility, ongoing development, honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEGenuine, specific, shows awareness without hopelessness.▸ RED FLAGSClaims no long-standing struggles. Or describes a disqualifying issue casually.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat's your current approach to working on it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-confidence, differentiation, insight.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, honest, backed by evidence.▸ RED FLAGSToo humble to name anything. Or picks something irrelevant to the role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow did you develop that?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPatience, ambition management, realism.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESets milestones. Tolerates the gap without despair. Stays productive.▸ RED FLAGSEither impatient and frustrated, or completely at peace (no drive).▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about a time the gap felt really big.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSGrowth arc, behavioral self-awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest about a recurring pattern they've recognized and worked to change.▸ RED FLAGSClaims no patterns. Or describes a minor quirk.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow did you first notice it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-insight, narrative clarity.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific decision, real reasoning, clear outcome.▸ RED FLAGSCan't identify one. Or picks something that sounds rehearsed.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat was the worst? What did you learn?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHumility, resourcefulness, communication.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAcknowledges it quickly, seeks help, communicates risk early.▸ RED FLAGSFakes it. Or panics silently.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow do you decide when to escalate vs push through yourself?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-management, honesty, self-knowledge.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest and specific. Shows awareness of their patterns.▸ RED FLAGS'I never procrastinate' — not believable.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat tricks have you found that help?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSIntellectual flexibility, growth narrative.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEReal belief, real moment of revision, real impact on behavior.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one. Or describes a trivial belief.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat changed it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSEgo management, intellectual humility.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEAcknowledges quickly, corrects course, doesn't make it a big deal.▸ RED FLAGSGets defensive, finds a way to be partially right, or takes a long time to admit it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBETell me about a time you were very publicly wrong.

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSCognitive style, limitation awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest and specific. Shows they know where they need support or collaboration.▸ RED FLAGSClaims to be good at everything. Or describes a problem type central to this role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow do you handle it when that type of problem comes up anyway?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSLearning velocity, development trajectory.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific skill, how they developed it, what they did differently.▸ RED FLAGSCan't name one. Or describes growth too vaguely.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat made you develop so fast in that area?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSReflection, learning from experience, intellectual honesty.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEGenuine and insightful. Reveals a real blind spot they've since closed.▸ RED FLAGSGeneric ('trust the process') or can't articulate anything real.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow has knowing that changed how you work now?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-monitoring, peak performance awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific signals: type of work, energy level, quality of output.▸ RED FLAGSCan't articulate what peak performance looks like for them.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat conditions most consistently bring that out?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness, clarity of strengths.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, backed by recent examples, and connected to the role.▸ RED FLAGSToo humble ('I don't know') or gives a vague non-answer.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEIs that the same strength you'd bet on in this role?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSResilience, openness to growth, emotional regulation.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific feedback, honest initial reaction, and clear behavior change that followed.▸ RED FLAGSVague. Minimizes it. Or can't describe how they processed it.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEDid you agree with it?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness, honesty, performance triggers.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific contexts and the reason why. Shows maturity.▸ RED FLAGSClaims they always perform at 100%. Or the trigger is present in this role.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat do you do when you notice you're in one of those situations?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHidden strengths, self-advocacy, under-valued contributions.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEHonest insight into a real skill that's often overlooked.▸ RED FLAGSCan't identify one. Or picks something obvious they get plenty of credit for.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhy do you think that goes unnoticed?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSPeer-level self-perception.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific, grounded, and consistent with the rest of the interview.▸ RED FLAGS'Amazing/brilliant/perfect' — no nuance.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow would that differ from how your manager describes you?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSHonesty, growth orientation, self-awareness.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEReal weakness + specific steps being taken to improve it.▸ RED FLAGSDisguised strength ('I'm a perfectionist'). Or a disqualifying weakness without acknowledgment.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhat triggered you to start working on that?

▸ WHAT IT REVEALSSelf-awareness, relevance to role, ability to sell themselves.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKESpecific strengths backed by examples. Directly tied to what the role needs.▸ RED FLAGSGeneric: 'hardworking, passionate, team player.' No evidence offered.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEWhich of those three has had the biggest career impact?