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2026-10-07
CEO Candidate Interview (preview)
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Background & Motivation
01 · Walk through your path to this point and what draws you to this specific search.
02 · What does success look like for you in the first 12 months?
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Leadership Philosophy
03 · Describe a time you had to make an unpopular call. How did you bring the team along?
04 · How do you build an executive team out of a mix of holdovers and new hires?
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Portfolio & PE Fit
05 · Prior experience operating under a PE ownership structure -- board cadence, reporting, value-creation planning.
06 · How comfortable are you operating against a 100-day plan and quarterly board accountability?
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Deal & Domain Experience
07 · Relevant industry/domain experience for this specific business.
08 · Experience with M&A integration or carve-outs, if applicable.
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Team Building
09 · How do you evaluate and upgrade talent on a team you inherit?
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References & Red Flags
10 · Any reference or background items worth flagging before proceeding?
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CEO Criteria / Traits
11 · Demonstrates clear strategic vision for the business.
Yes
Maybe
No
12 · Builds trust quickly with a new team.
Yes
Maybe
No
13 · Comfortable operating with significant financial leverage.
Yes
Maybe
No
14 · Track record of hitting operating targets.
Yes
Maybe
No
15 · Strong communicator with a board / investor audience.
Yes
Maybe
No
16 · Willing to make unpopular personnel decisions when needed.
Yes
Maybe
No
17 · Demonstrated commercial / go-to-market instincts.
Yes
Maybe
No
18 · Operationally hands-on, not just strategic.
Yes
Maybe
No
19 · Cultural fit with Sterling's portfolio company operating model.
Yes
Maybe
No
20 · Overall -- would you back this person as CEO of this business?
Yes
Maybe
No
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