What role do you usually take in team projects?
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OUR COACH SAYS
The interviewer truly wants to understand the role that you naturally take on, when put into a team-based environment. If you tend to take the lead, you can let the interviewer know, but avoid sounding overbearing. If you usually like to generate new ideas and allow someone else to execute them, share your creative side but express that you prefer for others to take the lead.
Example #1
"I am usually the 'ideas person' in team projects. In my current position, I am not the most persuasive salesperson, but I am highly creative. This skill means that, in most projects, I am great at creating a plan of action but am most comfortable passing the final client-facing tasks to our more extroverted personnel."
Example #2
"When it comes to team projects I do not mind taking a backseat and, rather than being the leader, being more of an administrator. I like to organize data and analyze progress rather than lead others."
Example #3
"I like to take the lead on team projects. I am very vocal and organized which makes me a natural leader. I suppose that is why I am a personnel manager by trade!"
Example #4
"I am newer to my marketing career so, at this point, I will be quite careful with making suggestions in group meetings. I have great ideas that I am more comfortable pitching one-on-one with my boss. The more experience that I gain, the more comfortable I am becoming when it comes to speaking up in team meetings or during team collaborations."
Example #5
"When it comes to team projects, I am the numbers and data person. I like to take our goals, break them down into smaller goals, and then show the team exactly how we can reach the sales targets given to us."
Example #6
"In team projects, I tend to take the lead. Not in an overbearing way, but in a mentoring type of way. In my current role, I am one of the most experienced business development professionals which means that this title puts me into a natural leadership role, anyways. I choose to embrace that and help my team members learn from my experiences and knowledge."
Example #7
"I am a natural leader, in and out of the classroom. When there is a team project, I do volunteer to take the lead quite often, if nobody else wants the role. I want to ensure that everyone has a fair shot when it comes to expressing themselves as a leader."
Example #8
"I am usually the 'ideas person' in team projects. In my current position, I am not the most seasoned cost accountant, but I am highly creative. This means that, in most projects, I am great at creating a strategic plan but am most comfortable passing the final client-facing tasks to our more extroverted personnel."
Anonymous Answer
"I don’t mind taking the lead, but I usually prefer someone else to lead. I feel my skills are better utilized as being an active listener to all ideas presented in the group environment. I am also a very organized person, so I usually take on an organizational role."
Rachelle's Reply
Your answer is honest and detailed, which is great! How do you keep yourself organized and on task when in an organizational role?
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Anonymous Answer
"In projects that I have worked on recently, I have taken the lead as, generally, people do not volunteer to do this. If a person on my team wanted to as a way to learn and grow, then I would step aside and allow them to."
Rachelle's Reply
Why do you feel that people do not want to take the lead? How do you encourage others to tap into their leadership abilities?
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