Pete Carroll, football coach for the Seattle Seahawks, in his 2010 book “Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion“, described in detail a conversation between himself and Jim Valvano, legendary college basketball coach. The conversation was about Coach Valvano’s insights into the hiring process. Coach Carroll recalls Valvano’s ‘interviewing tactics’.
Coach Valvano told me that my goal should be to leave the interview with “no negatives”. Every comment, every phrase, or story must be positive, and I must be prepared to talk only about things that put me in the best light. No matter what the topic, it was my job to turn every answer into a response that highlighted my strong points. Like his point guard, who controlled the court, or my middle linebacker who controlled our defense, I had to control the interview.
Carroll summarized his conversation with Valvano:
He taught me that if they asked a questions I couldn’t answer, then I shouldn’t answer it but instead find a way to turn the question to something I could talk about comfortably, positively and honestly. …… He explained the importance of being disciplined in the setting and avoiding any and all negative thoughts. If I spoke with positivity and confidence, it would be evident that I believed in myself, and that belief was what the interviewer would be looking for.
Actually, there is more to the story. When Carroll had to apply these lessons when interviewing for the head football coach at the University of Southern California, he consistently responded to questions with answers that reflected a consistent theme about his vision and philosophy.
When it was time for me to present my vision and plan, I stated my intentions in the clearest and boldest way that I could think of. ….. I took them through my philosophical approach, discussing everything from the central theme of competition that would be synonymous with the program, …… With each statement I gave, I felt more confident. The more confident I felt, the more excited I became.
As I reflect on academic searches at the President, Provost, Vice-Provost and Dean levels, I certainly buy into Jim Valvano’s tactic of ‘leave the interview with no negatives’ and Pete Carroll’s strategy of ‘consistently responding with answers that reflect your vision and philosophy’. I have witnessed several successful candidates at our university that were able to leave the interviews with ‘no negatives’. However, I do not recall any candidates in my twenty years of academic experience who have left the interview process having effectively communicated a consistent vision and philosophy. I’m still waiting!!!
– from the pen of Dr. Percy Trappe
The Academic Anchor 