When are your leadership skills the most effective?
Your interviewer is curious whether you have leadership potential and, if so, what kind of leadership you'd bring to Cerner. At the very least, you'll want to communicate how you take the lead in your development, personally or professionally. As they state on Cerner's website, "Those who empower and motivate us to take charge become our stepping stones to change. But to truly change, we need someone who understands our risks, needs, and ultimate goals and provides a path to get us there."
"My leadership skills are the most effective when my relationship with the employee isn't just a surface connection. I want to have true knowledge of their life and a good understanding of their career goals. When my employees know that I can help them achieve their goals, they are more likely to be an engaged part of the team."
"I feel that my leadership skills are directly related to the happiness and engagement of my team. I spend a lot of time making sure that my staff are happy, confident, and invested in their jobs."
If you have formal leadership experience, show the interviewer that you recognize a great relationship starts with clear communication, trust, and honesty. Tell the interviewer that you spend time genuinely getting to know your team. Building relationships founded on strong communication, transparency, and trust helps with successful delegation, collaboration, and job satisfaction.
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
I emphasize that if you want to grow, your team should also grow with you. My leadership style is very communicative, open to ideas, and knowing my teams' capabilities. I am a servant leader, that is understanding the team needs yet assertive as the situation arises.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very specific and helpful! This is a fantastic response.
Anonymous Answer
A great relationship starts with clear communication, trust, and honesty. My leadership skills are most effective when my team is engaged and happy. I spend a lot of time making sure that my team of staff are happy, confident, and invested in their jobs.
Rachelle's Feedback
You sound like a wonderful leader, and you obviously know what it takes to have an impact on your team. Do you have any tangible outcomes to share, to solidify your response? For example, a very low turnover rate on your team?
Anonymous Answer
I feel like my leadership skills are most effective when I am leading from the front, not the back. I think it's important to always listen to everyone on your team and make everyone feel like a valued player in the success of the team. Leading from the front also shows that I am with my team and that we are in this together.
Rachelle's Feedback
Can you further explain what 'leading from the front' means to you? When using general or somewhat cliche statements, it's essential to dig in deep and discuss what they truly mean to you. As per previous notes, be sure to use 'I' statements vs. general 'You' comments in your interview answers. 'You' statements create a level of disconnect that should be avioided in interviews.
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