How would your subordinates describe you?
When a potential employer asks how your subordinates would describe you, the reason is for them to get a general sense of your leadership style and your level of self-awareness. They may have already spoken to references and want to compare your answers to theirs, so be honest with your answers. Provide detailed responses that show how your attributes make you the best fit for the role. Further, cite instances during which these characteristics contributed to your success as a leader.
"Different subordinates may give you different answers, but I do think that there are a few of my attributes that can tie all of their answers together. My former subordinates would describe me as firm. I owe it to them to be firm by communicating goals and expecting everyone under me to align their work with those goals. They would probably add that I'm results-driven but not necessarily rigid or inflexible. In fact, other people would describe me as a diplomatic leader. I always encourage input from my subordinates and often act on those inputs. Lastly, I think they would say that I'm a motivator. I think that comes with the territory as a training professional. I've heard from previous subordinates that they think I have a way of inspiring them to do better without adding so much pressure."
