How would others describe you as a leader?
The development of excellence in leadership is one of the main goals of any MBA program. Stanford is no different and focuses on providing an immersive leadership-focused experience. Your interviewer wants to know what leadership qualities you currently possess and how you are viewed by those you work with most often.
Your answer should be brief, but it should include several attributes. You should also provide reasoning to support your answer.
It may be helpful to review common leadership skills and approaches before your MBA interview at Stanford. While you could craft an answer using your team's vocabulary, it is best to use terms commonly used in a professional setting. For example, you might explain that your teammates would describe you as 'bureaucratic' or 'servant.' You can find several helpful articles within the results of an Internet search for 'types of leadership.'
"I feel others would describe me as an innovative and collaborative leader. In peer groups, I am typically focused on generating great ideas and doing whatever it takes to bring them to fruition.
I encourage the same level of innovation and collaboration in the teams I formally manage. I am always willing to serve my team and help facilitate their success. Their wins are my wins and I ask everyone to look beyond titles and roles. We jump in and help whenever we see a need.
I am looking forward to offering my teams here at Stanford the same skills if selected for the program. Additionally, I am excited about the opportunity to grow leadership skills I have not yet had the opportunity to develop fully."
