MockQuestions

Leadership Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your job interview, here are 30 interview questions and answer examples focused on your leadership skills.

Leadership was updated by on April 10th, 2021. Learn more here.

Question 16 of 30

Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.

Everyone leader a unique style of communication, and most people in a leadership role can clearly define that style. Whatever your approach to communication, take time to show the interviewer that it is well-received in the workplace. Some of the best leaders communicate through:

- Demonstration. This approach means understanding that your actions mean more than the words you say.

- Building meaningful connections. This approach means creating relationships that go beyond the surface; thus, building a strong foundation for leadership acceptance.

- Transparency. This approach means valuing vulnerability in the workplace and demonstrating vulnerability and openness first.

- Listening. This approach means that you spend time actively listening to your team. Sometimes 'communicating' means not talking! Exercising strong listening skills is an incredibly effective way to show you are a competent leader and a discerning communicator.

Situational-based interview questions that begin with 'Give me an example of a time...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.

Your response should demonstrate your ability to articulate constructive criticism, encourage your team, or relay policy changes in a way that makes fosters a culture of acceptance from your team.

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How to Answer: Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.

  • 16. Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.

      How to Answer

      Everyone leader a unique style of communication, and most people in a leadership role can clearly define that style. Whatever your approach to communication, take time to show the interviewer that it is well-received in the workplace. Some of the best leaders communicate through:

      - Demonstration. This approach means understanding that your actions mean more than the words you say.

      - Building meaningful connections. This approach means creating relationships that go beyond the surface; thus, building a strong foundation for leadership acceptance.

      - Transparency. This approach means valuing vulnerability in the workplace and demonstrating vulnerability and openness first.

      - Listening. This approach means that you spend time actively listening to your team. Sometimes 'communicating' means not talking! Exercising strong listening skills is an incredibly effective way to show you are a competent leader and a discerning communicator.

      Situational-based interview questions that begin with 'Give me an example of a time...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.

      Your response should demonstrate your ability to articulate constructive criticism, encourage your team, or relay policy changes in a way that makes fosters a culture of acceptance from your team.

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Answer Example

      "(Situation) In my current role, we have undergone many policy changes over the past eight months due to a company merger. (Task) As the HR Partner, it is up to me to communicate all personnel-related changes to the entire employee roster. (Action) While communicating these changes, I have deployed a transparent communication approach. I describe my communication style as honest and often vulnerable. I show the employees that I do not have a private agenda; thus, building their trust. I communicate my intentions, the intentions of the company's leadership team, and the end goal. (Result) Typically, many people do not trust their HR department; however, I have been able to overcome that stigma by being consistently honest, open, and transparent about their employment and the direction our company is heading."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Admin

      "(Situation) In our office, there have been past instances where team members feel upset after receiving an email and misinterpreting the tone. (Task) As an Administrative Assistant, so much of my communication is by email, so I am highly aware of my tone, or perceived tone, before sending an email. (Action) I will re-read my messages before I send them, looking for areas of potential misinterpretation. If the email is too complicated, I choose to pick up the phone and have a verbal conversation instead. (Result) By using this approach, our team morale has improved, and communication hiccups have reduced significantly."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Manager

      "(Situation) When I worked with Company ABC, we had a significant struggle with staff turnover. (Task) I had taken over as General Manager from a previous individual who was not very engaged with the team. (Action) Immediately after being promoted to GM, I decided to take an active listening approach since I could sense that the team did not feel they were 'heard' on the job. I held one-on-one and group meetings, giving the team the floor, and simply listening. After hearing their grievances, I created an action plan for change. (Result) By deploying a communication approach built on listening, I was able to help boost team morale significantly."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Marketing

      "(Situation) My current company places a lot of value in conversation and feedback. (Task) Since joining as the Marketing Manager, I have learned more about communicating expressively and constructively. I am now more direct and specific in my feedback. (Action) Just last week, my team was running behind on a client project. Overall, I was dissatisfied with their performance and also the creative outcome. I held a meeting where I was direct but kind. I spoke to the team respectfully and approached the meeting as a coaching session. Once I relayed the areas of disappointment, we worked together toward a solution. (Result) My communication approach proved to be effective, and we turned the project around completely."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Retail

      "(Situation) My current team of retail sales associates often default to chatting amongst themselves rather than be entirely engaged with our customers. (Task) As the Assistant Manager, I feel a responsibility to encourage these associates to be present when they are on the floor. (Action) Recently, I launched a sales contest to motivate the team. The contest ran over an entire weekend, and the sales associate with the most sales dollars was awarded a Starbucks gift card. (Result) The incentive worked so well that the Store Manager has approved that I run this contest every week! I love to motivate my team through incentives and a high-energy approach. By communicating in an engaging and motivating way, their sales performance is better than ever before."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Sales

      "(Situation) My current sales team consists of highly competitive and independent individuals who are hard to reign in when it comes to group efforts. (Task) As the Sales Manager, it's my mandate to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common corporate goal. (Action) With my team, to speak to their strong personalities, I aim to delegate and encourage according to strengths. Everyone on the team communicates differently, so I tailor my communication to each person. Usually, that looks like a small, informal one-on-one huddle throughout the day. (Result) This quick but personalized touch-point helps to keep each sales rep grounded in their goals and feeling encouraged throughout the day."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Teacher

      "(Situation) Last month I gave my student feedback because he appeared to be slacking off on a project. (Task) I care for my students and believe that, as their teacher, I am there to lead them onto the right path. (Action) Rather than telling him, I thought he was slacking off; I said, 'I've noticed that it's been taking longer for you to turn in those reports. What's going on? Is there anything I can do?' When communicating, I always start by asking questions instead of making accusations. (Result) My student was very appreciative and told me how he was struggling with motivation. I asked him what would motivate him, and we were able to find a solution that worked."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on June 11th, 2020

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Listening to others' ideas and listening to their challenges in doing their job. Like the time it takes to complete one of our tasks. Coming up with a way we can input the data in Excel and making that task a more automated process, improving the time it takes to accomplish that task."

      Marcie's Feedback

      You provide a good example here of a time when your ability to communicate helped you to lead. You might consider showing your knowledge about various communication styles by mentioning the types (passive, aggressive, submissive, manipulative, and assertive) and then indicating which style you most identify with. Since you mention listening in your answer, it sounds like you might be an assertive communicator who tends to respect the thoughts and ideas of others while still expressing your own opinions in a calm manner.
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