Suggested Interview Questions | BJ Gallagher

Katie Sheehan Posted by Katie Sheehan, Associate Director of Communications, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.


Potential Interview Questions for Franz Metcalf and BJ Gallagher

Authors of Being Buddha At Work (Berrett-Koehler, 2012)


What inspired you to come up with the 101 dilemmas?

Which dilemma is the hardest to tackle and why?

What is a personal example of when you have used Buddhist teachings at work?

In the book, you mention that money and perks don't offer a guarantee of motivating people. What do you mean by this? What then can be used to motivate people?

In the book, you mention that people actually say, ‚“I'll see it when I believe it ‚” as opposed to, ‚“I'll believe it when I see it. ‚” Explain this quote and an example of how this occurs in the workplace.

With the economy in a dismal state, the idea you mention in the book that, ‚“there is no job security and there never was ‚”, sounds alarming. What do you mean by that and what people can learn from it.

How are the tips to becoming a great employee different from -kissing up' in Buddha's eyes?

How does Buddha feel about jobs that are often violent? (i.e. soldiers, wrestlers, etc.)

If you feel unhappy with career choice, what would Buddha advise you to do?

How would Buddha advise those juggling with career, family, and friends and find themselves stressed as a result?

Some would say that accepting that life is suffering is pessimistic. Is this true or false and why?

Are there dishonorable careers? If so, what are they?

What are the most honorable careers? Why?

What did you mean when you said, ‚“money only hurts you if you let it ‚”?

Are there any challenges where Buddha's teachings do not apply?


Being Buddha At Work

101 Ancient Truths on Change, Stress, Money, and Success

By Franz Metcalf and BJ Gallagher

Berrett-Koehler Publishers

February 2012

Paperback, $14.95; 176 pages

ISBN: 978-1-60994-292-2