How to Answer: Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader on the job. How will your style of communication help you in this role with Boeing?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Boeing job interview.
31. Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader on the job. How will your style of communication help you in this role with Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At Boeing, the organization looks for natural leaders to emerge throughout their organizational chart. Your interviewer wants to hire someone who can be a natural leader on their team. With this question, your interviewer wants to hear how your unique communication style helps you be a natural leader. They'll be expecting you to give a specific example of a time when your communication style helped in doing this.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
The first step to a successful answer is to take time to think about what communication style(s) you use most often. There are several helpful models and tools that can assist you in defining your style. This communication styles quiz is an example of a tool that can help you refine your thoughts about which style of communication you naturally lean on and how it adds value in a professional setting.
When answering, walk your interviewer through a time when you communicated effectively in a team, client, or management setting. Be sure to demonstrate your ability to build meaningful connections, actively listen, speak with transparency, and show respect for others. Identify the specific value you added through your approach to communicating, and then convince your interviewer you will be able to add similar value if hired at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I think my biggest strength as a communicator is that I am an intent listener and I observe non-verbal communication well. One of my responsibilities as an intern was to keep the meeting minutes for a steering committee my team participated in. I was able to follow along and take great notes on behalf of the team. Additionally, I kept an eye on the participants during the discussion. I noticed that some comments my coworker made seemed to offend one of the senior leaders on the committee during a meeting. She crossed her arms, frowned and basically shut down for the rest of the meeting after the comment was made.
I felt I would be a poor leader if I didn't offer my coworker feedback on the effect her comments had on the meeting. I let her know it might be worth us reaching out to the participant who may have been displeased with the comments. It turned out my instinct was right, and the senior leader appreciated us asking for feedback and attempting to smooth things over. She applauded my insight and encouraged me to keep working with my skills in this area.
As an entry level employee, I think I can offer similar ethical and encouragement to my leadership here at Boeing. I can listen and observe intently during meetings and offer insight as appropriate."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current role, we have undergone many policy changes over the past eight months due to a company merger. In my role, it is up to me to communicate all changes to the team. While communicating these changes, I have deployed a transparent communication approach. I describe my communication style as honest and often vulnerable. I show the employees that I do not have a private agenda; thus, building their trust. I communicate my intentions, the intentions of the company's leadership team, and the end goal. Through my open and honest approach, I have been able to overcome any negative stigma by being consistently honest, open, and transparent about the direction our company is heading."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I have worked within customer support organizations for years. Many of my roles supported business critical and/or life saving products that required top priority service level agreements. As a leader within these organizations I have learned that direct communication and authoritative leadership are often necessary. There isn't always time to determine how everyone on the team feels about an approach. Sometimes you need make clear and direct assignments and mobilize your resources.
I would use the same communication style and approach to leadership here at Boeing for mission critical support initiatives. It is important that my staff understand that I care about their ideas and their needs, but that there are times when I will ask them to respect authority and follow along with the plan because it can mean the difference between life and death in some cases."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have taken several communication style assessments over the years and I tend to fall into the category of an influencer. That style serves me well as a business analyst. I work with a set of clients who sometimes think they are process reengineering and technology experts. While they are very knowledgeable and experts within their own domain, I often find myself in a position to ask them to take a step back and help me understand the problems we are trying to solve before we discuss the solution. I remind them that root cause analysis is a critical aspect to ensuring that we determine the most valuable way forward. I do this in an empathetic, friendly, and enthusiastic manner. I find that we are then able to easily get on the same page and move forward as a team.
I will bring the same influential communication style to my teams here at Boeing. I recognize I do not always have the best answer, but I am skilled at helping teams recognize when steps have been skipped and the best answer may have been overlooked."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I would say that my communication style is a blend of cheerleading and encouraging others to be conscientious. For example, one of the project teams I manage projects for currently is a cross-functional group of talented individuals. Many of them are subject matter experts within their domain and they work together well. I encourage them, cheer them on, celebrate their successes, and do what I can to ensure they are recognized and rewarded for their hard work. However, they have a track record of group think that causes them to move too quickly at times. I am typically the one who reminds them we need to be responsible and ensure we are taking the time to think thing through from all angles. I am the one who makes sure we follow the processes and regulations we are required to follow.
I think both of these styles will serve my teams well here at Boeing. I understand that I will be working on projects with top notch experts and that the projects are subject to strict regulations in many cases. My approach is an excellent fit for that type of dynamic."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am a patient and humble communicator, and I think that style serves me as a leader in many cases. I work on a team with several strong personalities. They are all excellent at what they do, and their opinions are worthy of sharing. However, there are times when they are in conflict with each other. I stay calm and then work with them to help them understand both sides and bridge their ideas together.
I am a quiet leader, but I diffuse tense situations like these well. I believe my style is a welcomed asset in almost any team setting, and I think I will be able to leverage my communication strengths effectively at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Jaymie's Feedback
About the Author
As a former technologist, I was excited when I learned I would be working on the Boeing Q&A set. I knew going in that Boeing had a strong track record of innovation and excellence when it comes to their use of technology, but I learned so much more when I dug in to research the company. Here are a few things that impressed me personally:
Product Development Process Maturity
I spent time digging through the open roles at Boeing and I noticed roles that indicate that the process of developing products at Boeing is advanced. They know their stuff! For example, they employ multiple levels of scrum masters. This means they assign highly skilled and advanced product development facilitators to teams working on mission-critical projects. Additionally, some of their teams utilize SAFe (scaled agile framework). This means Boeing understands how to bridge multiple teams together in a scaled agile setting for maximum collaboration and success. That's important!
Lean Practices
Boeing leverages lean principles within their manufacturing sectors, software engineering, and operations groups. This means they understand how to maximize value, ensure quality, and reduce waste. Each of these practices is good for the company, good for its clients, and in theory, good for the employees of Boeing.
Well Developed Careers Site
The career coach in me really appreciated Boeing's careers pages. They are very clear about what they are looking for in each of the roles listed. They offer a breakdown of responsibilities and the types of traits/soft skills needed. They use descriptive language such as 'relentless improvements' and 'thinking beyond boundaries'. They also offer salary range, benefits, and relocation assistance information. All of this tells me that Boeing is committed to identifying candidates that are a great fit for their needs and their culture.
Talent Development and Long-Term Career Options
Boeing has a strong internship program. This is a smart move in my opinion. They invest in bringing young talent in, showing them the world of Boeing, and then convincing the best to come back and work full-time. Programs like these help to develop future leaders, and Boeing isn't shy about their preference for promoting from within. They also have a well-developed leadership program, a healthy list of business resource groups, demonstrated commitment to hiring veterans, and several continual learning programs. If the idea of working your way up in a company like Boeing sounds appealing, they may be the perfect fit for you!
In summary, there are always new and exciting opportunities at Boeing that offer a wide range of benefits. No matter what type of role you are interested in, landing a job at Boeing results in an impressive addition to your future resume. I hope this Q&A set has helped you prepare and boost your excitement about your upcoming interview at Boeing. I wish you success, and I encourage you to keep Boeing on your radar in the future!
Learn more about Karrie Day