Do you consider yourself a patient person, even in challenging situations?
Your interviewer is aiming to gauge your level of emotional intelligence. How you answer should offer insights into whether you allow your stress or anxieties to impact your performance or mood and the mood of those working closely with you. They also need to ensure whomever they hire will contribute to their "culture of emotional intelligence," where "trust is key to successful leadership." Showcase your ability to remain patient and professional and work well under pressure.
"I do consider myself a patient person. I would rate myself an 8 out of 10 for patience because I certainly have room to grow, but I have a very long fuse. If I need a boost of patience in a challenging situation, I will take a step away, count to 10 and then return to the situation. I recently read a book, 'The Power of Patience' by M.J. Ryan which also gave me some excellent new methods for coping with stress."
"I once worked with a group that could not quite get along, and it tested my patience a bit because it prevented us from staying on track and focusing on the goals. I went above and beyond in helping the group get along by scheduling lunches as a team and helping to mediate situations that needed it."
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
As stated before, No problem is unsolvable. Some take more time than others do. As a leader, it is my responsibility to give the confidentiality and support to my staff, resolving the issue which I provide very patiently.
Rachelle's Feedback
You have the right idea; however, I encourage a more direct approach when answering this style of question ("Do you...")
"Yes, I consider myself a patient person. No problem is unsolvable, and some problems take more time to overcome than others. As a leader, it is my responsibility to support my team through patience and confidence, allowing them to solve problems more efficiently."
Anonymous Answer
It depends on who you ask, I'm not patient when it comes to cooking. I have the necessary skills to be patient when it comes to handling challenging situations in the workplace. One thing that has helped in challenging situations in the past was to briefly excuse myself from a situation and focus on my breathing which allows me to think clearly in the moment.
Rachelle's Feedback
Taking a moment to pause is almost always helpful and can save us from an unnecessary reaction. Good approach!
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