INTERVIEW COACH
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle is a job search expert, career coach, and headhunter who helps everyone from students to fortune 500 executives find success in their career.
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How can we motivate you as a leader?
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OUR COACH SAYS
Even the most fantastic leader can be in danger of burning out now and then. The interviewer wants to know how they can be an encouragement to you, in turn. As a leader, you need to be able to identify and express what keeps you showing up, working hard, and supporting your team.
Your motivation may come from successes and achievements. Perhaps you are working towards career advancement. Take some time to think about what truly motivates you and share your thoughts with the interviewer.
Your motivation may come from successes and achievements. Perhaps you are working towards career advancement. Take some time to think about what truly motivates you and share your thoughts with the interviewer.
Example #1
"I gain motivation through words of encouragement and compensation based rewards. For instance, I could compete for a gift card or a contest where I can earn a bigger holiday party budget for my team. Being a leader comes naturally to me, so I don't find it to be a taxing task very often. My competitive nature keeps me internally motivated, as well."
Example #2
"I feel motivated when I work in a trust-filled, positive, and collaborative environment. When I can trust my team and am offered trust in return, I feel empowered to work even harder."
Example #3
"I am motivated by shout out's and recognition for my team members when they perform well. As a manager, I take a lot of time motivating my teams. When I have the opportunity to reward them through recognition from the corporate head office, it is extra motivating."
Example #4
"What motivates me is the potential to continue to grow with a quality company. I value recognition, especially when this recognition presents an opportunity to take my career to the next level. I value a company that appreciates not only me but all of its employees. Loyalty is rare these days, and it's something I truly value."
Example #5
"I am a very competitive person and find a great deal of motivation through sales contests and challenging but achievable goals. I am motivated to win, learn, and grow professionally."
Example #6
"I'm competitive, and also love praise when it is meaningful. Being in sales, of course, I gain motivation through financial rewards. I love opportunities to tap into accelerated growth based on my sales performance."
Example #7
"You can motivate me, as an educator, by noticing the great things I do for my students. If a parent calls to mention their child's learning has improved, I want to hear about it. Kind words of appreciation drive my motivation. I like to know my efforts are making an impact."
Anonymous Answer
"The potential to grow within a company is motivational. I value recognition, appreciation of myself and the team, and loyalty."
Rachelle's Reply
Concise and well thought out. Great work!
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Anonymous Answer
"To see my direct reports working as a team."
Rachelle's Reply
Try expanding on your response, as this one isn't very helpful to the interviewer and sounds a bit stand-offish.
Rachelle's Reply
"The best way to motivate me as a leader is to cultivate an environment of teamwork, collaboration, and togetherness. As a leader, I like to work closely with my team to help them achieve their goals. This type of environment is very motivating for me."
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Anonymous Answer
"People can motivate me by making me feel appreciated. Providing words of encouragement is a very simple method and motivates the team and me a lot. I am a very competitive person. Therefore I can motivate myself daily."
Rachelle's Reply
Excellent response! This gives the interviewer a lot to go from :)
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Anonymous Answer
"Show me that you have trust in my abilities... especially when the going gets tough."
Rachelle's Reply
Not too bad, but the initial wording could translate as aggressive. The interviewer would likely have more follow up questions than answers.
Rachelle's Reply
"I am best motivated as a leader when I feel there is trust in my abilities. My work shines during challenging times so, if I am shown trust through those times, I feel very motivated."
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Anonymous Answer
"By being respectful, honest, supportive, and transparent. Allow me room to grow."
Rachelle's Reply
Room to grow is very important! The interviewer may want you to elaborate on that part of your response.
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Anonymous Answer
"I am motivated by doing a good job and ensuring that my team is motivated with me."
Lauren's Reply
Great response. See below for verbiage.
Lauren's Reply
"I am motivated by performing well in my job, and ensuring team members around me are motivated to do a good job."
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Anonymous Answer
"When my team is being recognized for their work that they have done."
Rachelle's Reply
This answer is okay, but it is quite common. Try also thinking of specific ways that you could be motivated, unattached to your team.
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Anonymous Answer
"The biggest motivation for me as a leader is to get an appreciation for the job done by my team and me."
Rachelle's Reply
What would this appreciation look like? Verbal, company-wide accolades? Try to be as specific as possible.
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