How do you know when an individual team member is successful?
Fostering the success of teams and individuals is a major aspect of a technical program manager's role. Interviewers ask this question to identify candidates with the right mix of management and soft skills necessary to assess the success of the members of a team.
Remember to include a variety of assessment methods in your response. Success for an individual includes a mix of project performance, team contribution, professional growth, and personal happiness factors.
"There are four main areas I look at when assessing individual success for a member of one of my teams. Project performance is the first area I consider. It is important for individuals to properly handle the work they are assigned. I know someone is successful if they are meeting their commitments and willing to grow to take on more complex assignments in the future.
Secondly, I look to see if an individual is growing their skills properly. This includes determining if they need training or mentoring and seeking out those opportunities on their own. They are successful if they demonstrate growth and openness to new opportunities over time.
Thirdly, I consider whether or not a team member is contributing properly to the growth of the team itself. Success in this area may include acting as a leader or being supportive and respectful of others. It may include offering operational suggestions that make things easier for their teammates.
Finally, I consider a team member to be successful when they indicate they are happy in their role, and it supports their life needs appropriately. For example, if a member of the team values having the time to coach their child's sports team, I know they are successful when they negotiate a schedule that allows them to be fulfilled in areas outside of the workplace."
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