Tell me about your favorite manager. What did you enjoy most about working with them?
The interviewer is trying to better understand your preferred style of management and in some cases, the person interviewing you could be your potential manager, so this will help them understand if you would align well with them. Be sure you research Bank of New Zealand's culture and if possible, try to do some research on the background and education of the person you're interviewing with.
Consider past employers and the best leader you had. Think about what traits or habits they demonstrated that made them someone you enjoyed working with. In your response, explain some of the qualities you're looking for in a leader but also demonstrate that you're flexible and work under different types of management styles.
"I love my current boss because she leads with a collaborative and team-oriented style. We have regular team huddles to provide ongoing communication about process changes or upcoming events. In one-on-ones and in team meetings, she also seeks input and feedback and often factors in our thoughts and opinions before making departmental changes. I appreciate having a voice and feeling like my input is valued."
"My favorite manager was my very first manager when I worked at Company X. He was attentive and spent a lot of time mentoring me. I feel that many of my positive work-based skills and qualities are because of how he interacted with and trained me and I try to exhibit those same traits as a professional in the workplace."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My favorite manager was my first manager when I worked in Japan. She was attentive and respected my ideas. I feel that many of my positive work-based skills and qualities are because of how she interacted with and trained me.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's nice to hear that you had such a great experience with your first manager. It's great that you added a bit about what you learned from her management style.
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