Table 1. Sample Interview Questions to Assess the Virtues of Hungry, Humble, and Smart.

Sample interview questions: To assess the hungry virtue : Question: What is the hardest you've ever worked on something in your life? Insight: Look for specific examples of real but joyful sacrifice. In other words, the candidate isn't complaining, but is grateful for the experience. To assess the humble virtue : Question: What was the most embarrassing moment in your career? Or the biggest failure? Insight: Look for whether the candidate celebrates that embarrassment or is mortified by it. Humble people generally aren't afraid to tell their unflattering stories because they're comfortable with being imperfect. Also, look for specifics and real references to the candidate's own culpability. To assess the smart virtue : Question: What do you do that others in your personal life might find annoying? Insight: Everyone annoys someone, sometimes. Especially at home. Smart people are not immune to this. But neither are they in the dark about it. And they tend to moderate these behaviors at work.

Source: Reprinted with permission from Lencioni P. The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2016.