My favorite interview question.

Yesterday I was asked an interview question that surprised and delighted me. I’d never been asked this before.

“How do your friends, family, and colleagues know when you’re stressed?”

I answered honestly. I tend to fold in on myself, double down on what is stressing me out and try to force an answer to the problem. I have a tough time relaxing, and my restless mind doesn’t leave a lot of quiet space for me to notice what my gut is telling me. But I’m learning to recognize the small part of me that says, “Hey, it’s ok. Walk away from this for a bit. You can’t force it. It’s ok to take a breather. It’s ok to ask for help.”

I am so delighted by this question because it told me a lot about the organization in one simple moment. They care about understanding how their employees react to stress. They care about their employees’ mental health. THAT is the kind of organization I want to work for.

What’s an interview question that surprised you (in a good or negative way) or delighted you?

Also, here’s a photo of my water glass… clearly as delighted as I am.

Our organs, especially our brains, need water to function. Studies show that dehydration leads to higher cortisol levels (the stress hormone). So, stay hydrated, friends. Keep your body and brain running well.