Master 35 Academic Dean interview questions covering strategic leadership, faculty relations, and accreditation.
Question 20 of 35
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Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I occasionally have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and coworkers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything. During a recent meeting, a faculty member asked me to clarify some information that had been presented. I was happy to help and provided them with additional details and context to ensure everyone was on the same page. It's important to me to make sure all questions are answered and that everyone feels comfortable with the information presented."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I am a strong communicator. It is the foundation of all business success. I always strive to be a better communicator, so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure. While I can generally articulate my thoughts and ideas effectively, there are still certain situations where I struggle to convey my message clearly. Additionally, I recognize there is always room for improvement regarding active listening and responding empathetically to others, which are both crucial components of effective communication. Overall, I believe that my communication skills are strong, but work must be done to become a truly exceptional communicator."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
The interviewer asks you to rate your communication skills from 1-10 because effective communication is a critical skill for the role of an academic dean. By providing proper examples backing your rating, you can demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively with various stakeholders, including faculty members, students, and administrative staff. For instance, you could highlight your experience in delivering presentations, leading meetings, and resolving conflicts. Additionally, you could mention any strategies you use to tailor your communication style to different audiences and situations. Ultimately, the interviewer wants to gauge your communication proficiency to ensure that you can effectively convey information, build relationships, and facilitate collaboration in your role as an academic dean. Be sure to give a number rating with good examples while leaving a little room for improvement.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I would rate my communication skills at 9 out of 10. I believe that I can generally express my thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely and am an active listener who can understand and respond to the needs and concerns of others. For example, I recently had a conversation with a colleague who was struggling with a project, and I was able to offer some helpful suggestions and support that allowed them to complete the task successfully. Additionally, I am comfortable communicating in various formats, including written, verbal, and nonverbal, which makes me a versatile communicator in various settings. Overall, while I am always looking to improve my communication skills, I am an effective and confident communicator who can connect with others and get my message across clearly."

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Anonymous Answer
I will rank my communication skills at an 8. I always try to make an initial connection to the person or persons. I may comment upon something I know about them and their job, a well-done, etc. I try to use a framework to guide my discussions, why, what goals, who, what are my expectations, opportunity for questions. I often craft responses or an outline for unique or difficult communication.

Rachelle's Feedback
Great answer! You sound very prepared and confident; giving specifics on what you do to improve communication in the workplace.
Anonymous Answer
"I will rate myself an eight because I value communication but, just like most people, I have things to learn. While I use multiple ways to communicate with various constituents, I am constantly learning the pace of implementing changes by giving ample time for questions and feedback. Communicating well with people with long institutional memory is critical for me to avoid missteps, but so is providing open platforms for new faculty to give critical feedback. People new to the institution can give us insights based on their experience and providing a set of fresh eyes. I realized I needed a more formal way to receive critical feedback on my program and have scheduled a listening session for late May with four members.

Cindy's Feedback
Good start. This is a nuanced frame to provide the examples the interviewer is asking for. Be sure to elaborate on why you value communication along with the requested examples that demonstrate good communication skills and the results you achieved.
Anonymous Answer
I rate myself as an 8, which gives me room for improvement. I do so because I use a framework from which I communicate and receive communication with others in the workplace. Depending on whether the communication is verbal, non-verbal, written, by phone, or visual will determine my response. I always try to leave space for feedback and questions.

Stephanie's Feedback
Great; an 8/10 for communication skills is a pretty strong score. Are there any areas of communication that you're working to improve? If so, you may consider sharing them.
Anonymous Answer
I would give myself a 7. I can write decently; I have written papers and proposals (both technical and curricular and administrative). I've given talks and short off-the-cuff talks to many different types of audiences.

Chad's Feedback
This is a strong start. You can further support your rating by providing examples of situations in which your communication skills have led to success in the workplace. If there are any areas of communication that you're working to improve, take this opportunity to share them.
Anonymous Answer
I rate my communication skills to be 8 in English. English is not my native language and I cannot get rid of my accent totally, otherwise, my communication skills are 10.

Chad's Feedback
This is a strong start. The ability to multiple languages is an exceptional skill that will help you to stand out from other candidates for the position! Next, support your rating by providing examples of situations where your strong communication skills have led to success in the workplace.
Anonymous Answer
I would rate myself as a 9 because I am a good communicator. I am an active listener and respond empathetically if the situation arises. When starting a new position, I always ask my faculty and staff - how would they like me to communicate with them. Whether by email, text, or a call and I adhere to their preference. Additionally, when giving feedback, I usually start and end with positive affirmations.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! Consider rating yourself on various types of communication - listening, writing, verbal, presenting, etc. Also, consider supporting some of your claims with an example or two that illustrate your strong communicative abilities.
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Written by Krista Wenz
35 Questions & Answers • Academic Dean

By Krista

By Krista