Stanford University GSB MBA Mock Interview
Master 30 Stanford GSB MBA interview questions covering leadership philosophy, ethical reasoning, and business judgment.
Question 29 of 30
Describe a time when you received feedback about an improvement opportunity at work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
You are likely pursuing an MBA at Stanford because you are genuinely interested in learning about yourself as a leader and improving your ability to respond well in the face of conflict. It is also likely that you are a high-achieving professional who receives mostly positive feedback about your work. Your interviewer asks this question to learn more about your behavior when faced with feedback that was potentially difficult to hear. Your response speaks directly to your ability to absorb the feedback you will receive from your peers, faculty, and alumni at Stanford who will help shape your professional future.
Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
I encourage my clients to do the work to explore this subject before any interview. This behavioral question is a favorite amongst interviewers because it helps them identify candidates who are authentic, willing to learn, and able to accept feedback.
Describe a scenario in which you received feedback and took action to improve. If possible, demonstrate your ability to react positively to performance feedback that aligns with an area covered in the curriculum of the Stanford MBA program.
Karrie Day is a certified career coach and strategist with a passion for helping her clients define and reach their professional goals. She offers career advancement services such as brand development, resume writing and critiques, job search strategies,
"I became a senior manager within our department two years ago. I met with my VP about six months into my new role and asked her what she felt I could improve upon. She encouraged me to take a step back and pull myself out of the day-to-day operations of my teams. She felt I was stepping in too early during times of conflict and my teams were not developing their leadership and conflict resolution abilities as a result.
Her feedback was an eye-opener and she was right. I was invested in ensuring my teams were working as efficiently as possible, but I didn't realize they could be even more efficient if I allowed them to take the time to learn and grow. Since that time my teams have made several improvements on their own that have increased their performance, balance, and overall happiness. I am grateful to my VP for her feedback and I will continue to apply what she offered as I progress in my career.
I am excited about the LEAP assessments and leadership coaching opportunities here at Stanford. I know they will help me to uncover other areas of improvement so that I can make the most of the time I invest in my MBA experience."
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