Think about a supervisor or manager who made a positive impression on you. In your opinion, what qualities and characteristics contributed to their success, and what did you learn from their management style?

"When I worked as a volunteer coordinator at my previous organization, I reported to the Community Engagement Officer. At the time, I was idealistic and passionate about our cause, but this idealism was not tempered by realism or practicality. I developed several new volunteer opportunities to boost our community support, but my supervisor carefully demonstrated how to use data to determine which volunteer opportunities would provide the greatest benefit to us. Her patience and willingness to participate in honing my thought process helped me work more efficiently and molded me into the leader I am today. Now, when I have new employees, I sit down with each of them, share my openness to hearing new ideas, and make sure they feel comfortable working together to turn those ideas into workable options for our organization."

Talk about a supervisor or manager to answer the interviewer's specific question. However, spend the majority of your answer showing how you embraced what you learned from them and applied those lessons in specific ways at work.

"My first supervisor after graduating college had four decades of experience in nonprofit administration and had served in every imaginable leadership role, from Director of Development to Chief Operating Officer. She was honest but never rude. She wanted to conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses before exploring new program options, but she welcomed these discussions as essential to delivering life-saving services in the area of women's reproductive rights. She was passionate yet measured. I admired her and emulated her example in the work I have done since. In my communications with co-workers and managers, I am respectful and clear. I want to talk things all the way through before implementing new ideas. I am also mission-driven, which guides my ability to make smart decisions on behalf of the organization."

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.