If you are preparing for an interview for a managerial position, you may be preparing to be asked, “What is your leadership style?” This is a difficult question to answer.
We are going to go over all the information you need to know to prepare yourself with not only answering this question but with knowledge about the different leadership styles you can choose to present.
Let’s get started and get started.
Who was asked the question of this interview
The question of this interview arises for those who are interviewed for leadership or management positions. It can even cost someone who is being interviewed as a project manager or as a product manager.
Anyone who is in charge of a team and ensures that a team will perform its job accurately and in time will receive an answer to this question.
Related: 6 Unused Leadership Skills in the Workplace or Resume
What the interviewer wants to know
The interviewer wants to know that you have experience in leading a team. This means that if you can include a brief introduction about your previous leadership experiences before giving your leadership answer, you are going to exceed the interviewer’s expectations.
Ideally, you can communicate to the interviewer that your leadership experience is part of your experience of being a manager. That you know how to influence and motivate people to do their job.
What constitutes a good answer
The ability to answer this question is quite simple. The first part is knowing what kind of leader you are. And has a work history of being able to back it up. Something to do with your resume.
The second is the ability to communicate this leadership style and why it matters or why it works for you. There are different leadership styles, so when the interviewer asks you to describe yours, it can be unique.
The two features that make up an excellent answer are:
- Your ability to recognize your leadership style
- Your ability to communicate how leadership is
Related: Answer “What are your leadership examples?” In a job interview
The different types of leadership
There are many different types of leadership. And this is optional if you want to include these styles in your answer. These are designed for the official business management styles of leadership.
- Democratic leadership
- Autocratic leadership
- Leadership to Is-Pierre
- Strategic leadership
- Transformational leadership
- Rewarding leadership
- Coach-style leadership
- Bureaucratic leadership
For this article and answering your interview question, we will focus on just 3 of them here: Transformational, Transactional and Trainer style.
The various methods of transportation
From the list above, we know the leadership styles. But what about leadership methods? The difference is that leadership styles have a process associated with them. Leadership methods are about your attitude.
For example, do you spend time trying to lead. Or do you let people make mistakes and then correct them afterwards? There is a difference between these two approaches. The first is active; The other is passive.
Here are the three methods you should be familiar with:
If you choose to use the fact that you are a hybrid, then you need to explain that the path you are leading depends on what is required of the job at that moment. That’s a great answer!
Leads through responsibility (transcendental versus transformational)
The best ways to describe your leadership are through transcendental leadership and change. These are the two that are easiest to remember.
Transaction leadership is when you provide someone with a list of tasks and ask them to perform those tasks. This would be the perfect kind of leadership style for anyone applying for project management positions.
Transformational leadership is when you provide groups of people with insights to get their job done better. For example, a description of a challenge and an ideal outcome for the team. This is the best leadership style for anyone applying for VP or senior management positions.
2 Example Answers to “Describe Your Leadership Style”
Here are some sample answers to “Describe your leadership style” using the information we gathered from the guide.
One example
I find myself having a hybrid method of leadership, passive and active alike. Taking each example of what it takes to motivate the team uniquely. In the end, I always try to lead through transformative leadership. Helps inform our team and align their motivations to produce ideal results. This is how I found myself leading in the past and doing so with good results.
Example two
Leadership, for me, is an active method. I want to be proactive about how I can help inform our team members. Although I recognize the difference between transformation and transaction leadership, I find that transaction leadership is best for a project manager because my goal is to be diligent in what the project requires and make sure each task is performed on time and with business requirements in mind. .
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About the writer
Patrick Algerim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and General Career Specialist. Patrick completed NACE Training Certification Program (CCP). And published as a career expert on the subject Forbes, Glass door, American Express, Readers’ summary, LiveCareer, Ziti, Yahoo, Recruiter.com, SparkHire, SHRM.org, Process.st, FairyGodBoss, HRCI.org, St. Edwards University, NC State University, IBTimes.com, To thrive globally, TMCnet.com, Worked it out every day, Workology, Career Guide, MyPerfect Resume, Career life in college, HR Digest, WorkWise, Career team, Elite staffing, Women in HR, It’s all about a career, Advanced HR, The street, monster, The ladders, An introverted whisperer, and many more. Find him LinkedIn.
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