Who is your role model and why?

"The athletic director at my old high school. She was the most resourceful person I've ever known and a sheer positive force. She mentored me early in my coaching career. A real inspiration, she taught me what it truly means to be a strong athletic director."

"I'd have to say John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood. The way he could inspire his teams and bring out the best in them was a thing of beauty. One of my favorite quotes that I have on a plaque on my desk is, 'Success is never final, failure is never fatal, and it's courage that counts.'"

This informal question aims to reveal who your source of inspiration or role model is and how this influences your approach or style of leadership. It is a personality check to ascertain how well you would fit into their culture and the principles that would guide you and your work. Feel free to capitalize on this and showcase your merits and more of your personality with this question. It's an excellent opportunity to make yourself a more interesting and memorable candidate.