We are seeking a program manager that will command the intellectual respect of their stakeholders. How do you feel you would be able to fulfill that aspect of the job?
"I would use three main strategies to earn the intellectual respect of my stakeholders at Amazon. First, I would offer top-notch program management expertise. I am an experienced and skilled program manager with experience managing IT initiatives across several industries. I have managed custom development projects as well as vendor implementations. I have also worked within customer support and operations groups. I understand the typical stakeholder groups that are involved and my business acumen allows me to speak intelligently amongst peers, senior leaders, and customers.
Second, I am humble and realize that I need to learn about the specific needs and operations of each stakeholder group. I would ask thoughtful questions and put in the time and effort needed to be effective in my role.
Finally, I would earn trust and respect by being fully accountable for my work and the work of any teams I lead. I believe in delivering on my commitments and my stakeholders would observe my desire to partner with them to deliver solutions as efficiently as possible. I feel these strategies combined would result in my earning the intellectual respect of my peers."
Amazon describes the leaders of the stakeholder groups the Amazon Data Services program manager will partner with as highly intelligent and best-in-class. They demand a high level of performance from those who coordinate and implement solutions on their behalf. This is a tough interview question aimed at testing the confidence of a program manager in their ability to lead through influence.
Remember to offer more than one strategy for commanding the intellectual respect of the stakeholders at Amazon within your response. A mix of strategies is more likely to be effective as individuals learn and think differently. Each method you offer is likely to resonate more or less with specific stakeholders your interviewer has in mind when listening to your response.
