Refined Interview Guide: Autonomy in Organizations
Introduction and Context
1. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND MAIN
RESPONSIBILITIES?
Explanation: This question helps you understand the interviewee’s role,
their main tasks, and sets the stage for discussing how autonomy fits into
their work environment. (Order: 1, Importance: High)
2. How long have you been in this position, and how has your role
evolved over time?
Explanation: This question explores their tenure and changes in their role,
offering insights into how autonomy might have increased or decreased
with experience. (Order: 2, Importance: Medium)
3. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? ARE THERE ANY
SPECIFIC ASPECTS YOU FIND PARTICULARLY REWARDING?
Explanation: This identifies what motivates and satisfies them, which might
link to areas where they experience autonomy. (Order: 3, Importance:
Medium)
Daily Work and Routine
4. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Explanation: This gives you an overview of their tasks and provides context
for understanding when and where autonomy is exercised. (Order: 4,
Importance: High)
5. Are there tasks or responsibilities where you feel you have significant
freedom to decide how to approach them? Can you give an example?
Explanation: This highlights specific areas where they experience
autonomy and how they utilize it. (Order: 5, Importance: Medium)
6. Do you have any processes or tasks where you wish you had more
autonomy? Why?
Explanation: This helps identify areas where they feel restricted and might
want greater independence. (Order: 6, Importance: Medium)
Decision-Making and Initiative
7. WHEN FACED WITH DECISIONS IN YOUR ROLE, HOW MUCH AUTHORITY
DO YOU HAVE TO DECIDE ON YOUR OWN?
Explanation: This examines their ability to make independent decisions and
the scope of their decision-making power. (Order: 7, Importance: High)
8. Can you share an example of a time when you took the initiative to
solve a problem or improve a process?
Explanation: This provides a concrete example of how they use autonomy
and their ability to take initiative. (Order: 8, Importance: Medium)
9. Are there situations where you feel your decision-making authority is
limited? What causes these limitations?
Explanation: This explores any barriers they face in making decisions
independently and where those limitations come from. (Order: 9,
Importance: Medium)
Collaboration and Interaction
10. HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH YOUR TEAM AND MANAGER ON
PROJECTS OR TASKS?
Explanation: This examines how their interactions with others influence
their ability to work independently or exercise autonomy. (Order: 10,
Importance: Medium)
11. DOES YOUR TEAM ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE YOUR ABILITY TO WORK
INDEPENDENTLY OR MAKE DECISIONS? IF YES, IN WHAT WAYS?
Explanation: This looks at how teamwork or team culture impacts their
level of autonomy. (Order: 11, Importance: Medium)
12. In group projects, do you feel you can shape the direction or
approach of the work?
Explanation: This explores whether they have the ability to contribute
independently to group tasks and how much influence they have. (Order:
12, Importance: Low)
Organizational Policies and Support
13. DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDE ANY RESOURCES, TOOLS, OR
SUPPORT TO HELP YOU WORK AUTONOMOUSLY?
Explanation: This question identifies whether the organization facilitates
autonomy through resources or support. (Order: 13, Importance: High)
14. Are there specific policies or cultural practices in your workplace
that promote or hinder your ability to work independently?
Explanation: This explores how the workplace’s rules, culture, or policies
affect their autonomy. (Order: 14, Importance: Medium)
15. How do you feel about the level of trust your organization places in
employees managing their work?
Explanation: This examines whether trust from the organization
encourages or limits their independence. (Order: 15, Importance:
Medium)
Impact on Job Satisfaction and Performance
16. HOW DOES THE AUTONOMY YOU EXPERIENCE (OR LACK OF IT)
IMPACT YOUR MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION?
Explanation: This connects their autonomy to how they feel about their job
and work environment. (Order: 16, Importance: High)
17. Do you think having more autonomy would improve your
performance or job satisfaction? Why or why not?
Explanation: This asks them to reflect on whether greater autonomy could
benefit their role or overall satisfaction. (Order: 17, Importance:
Medium)
18. Have you noticed any challenges or stresses associated with
working autonomously?
Explanation: This explores the potential downsides of autonomy, such as
stress or over-responsibility. (Order: 18, Importance: Medium)
Closing Questions
19. IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE CHANGE TO IMPROVE THE AUTONOMY IN
YOUR ROLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Explanation: This identifies actionable suggestions for enhancing autonomy
in their role or workplace. (Order: 19, Importance: High)
20. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work
experience or how autonomy influences it?
Explanation: This allows the interviewee to add any important points not
covered in the previous questions. (Order: 20, Importance: Low)
