If you were leading a team, and one teammate wasn't performing as expected, how would you handle it?
Your interviewer is curious about how effectively you're able to lead and manage others. How you answer should offer insights into your leadership style and how effectively you communicate and delegate. Many of the NSA's job descriptions specify specific communication skills as a required competency. However, the more you showcase your possession of these skills, whether the position you are applying to requires them or not, the more attractive a candidate you'll seem.
"I like to think of myself as supportive of every member of my team, and as a caring and empathetic coach. I have strong interpersonal skills and am a friend to all. So I would start by checking in with them, to see how they were feeling, and to be transparent with them, with the motive of simply wanting help or to back them up. I'd see if there was anything I, or anyone else, could do to support them. Regardless of the outcome, I would support my leadership by informing them of what I observed and the actions I took, so they were simply in the know, in case it became a greater concern than it already was."
Here are some of the qualities the NSA looks for in their recruits that could pertain to this question: "Problem Solving identifying and analyzing problems, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information. Making recommendations and providing solutions to problems. Influencing, negotiating, persuading others, building consensus through negotiation, and gaining cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals. Interpersonal skills, considering varied backgrounds, work experience, and organizational roles in working with others, treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect."
