How do you make sure you’re hiring the right people? 

It’s not only skills that matter — at Storytell, we incorporate a values panel into our hiring process to make sure candidates are also a cultural “add”. One of our values is Clean Communication, so we bake it right into the interview process.

Clean Communication is a proactive, direct way of communicating that aims to address workplace tensions and conflicts before they escalate.

Learn about Clean Communication here:

Whether or not you use a values panel, here’s how you can bring Clean Communication into your hiring process: 

Common interview questions with a Clean Communication twist

Here are some of the ways you can reframe common interview questions to assess a candidate’s potential fit in a workplace that values Clean Communication.

  • Instead of "How do you handle feedback?" try "Share an example of a time when you received feedback that was difficult to hear. How did you process and respond to it?"
  • Instead of "What's your leadership style?" try "As a leader, how do you ensure that your team feels heard and understood? Share an example."
  • Instead of "How do you handle stress?" try “Tell me about a time when you were under significant stress at work? How did you communicate your feelings and needs to your team?"
  • Instead of "What are your communication strengths?" try "Share an instance where your ability to listen actively and empathetically made a difference in a work situation."
  • Instead of "How do you approach problem-solving?" try "Describe a time when you faced a challenging problem at work. How did you communicate about the problem and involve others in finding a solution?"
  • Instead of "How do you prioritize your work?" try "Describe a situation where your priorities conflicted with a colleague's or the company’s. How did you express your perspective, and how did you reach a consensus?"

Outside-the-box Clean Communication interview questions 

These other, less typical questions could help you gauge a candidate's alignment with a Clean Communication-focused workplace. 

They aim to draw out examples of their real-life experiences, providing insight into their communication skills, empathy, adaptability, and ability to navigate conflicts and misunderstandings.

  • Describe a time when you had to express a need or concern to a colleague or supervisor. How did you approach the conversation?
  • Describe a time when someone proposed an idea you strongly disagree with. How did you communicate your disagreement?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to handle miscommunication at work. How did you get things back to clarity?
  • Share an instance where you had to adapt your communication style to cater to a colleague's or a team's needs.
  • Describe a situation where you felt unheard or misunderstood in the workplace. How did you address this?
  • How have you handled a situation where you perceived that a colleague was not adhering to a mutual agreement or commitment?
  • In your experience, what role does empathy play in a work environment, and how have you demonstrated it in your past roles?

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