If I were to interview those who report to you, what would they say is one of your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
This question is a slightly more indirect way to ask about your strengths and weaknesses. The interviewer is looking for information about you from your team's perspective. Think of a time you asked for feedback on your leadership style. Also, consider your past performance reviews with your leadership team. Perhaps you have had comments from your team regarding your best traits. When you mention your weakness, be sure to express what you have been doing to improve upon that weakness. When you think of your strengths, you should relate them to the needs of the hiring company. By making this connection, you will show the interviewer that hiring you can solve a pain point for the company.
Here are some examples of unique strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
- Strong knowledge of a significant software program used in this role.
- Ability to be objective or to take feedback.
- Disciplined and able to meet the most stringent deadlines.
Weaknesses:
- Perfectionism, internalized, AKA: being too tough on yourself.
- User-level in a particular software program.
- Trying always to find solutions that make everyone happy (impossible!).
"If asked, I believe my team would say that I am a bit tough on myself when it comes to the expectation level that I put on myself. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I am relaxing this habit by letting smaller, unimportant details go. My strength is in my knowledge of my team. I take the time to get to know every one of them, resulting in an excellent teamwork environment."
"I believe that my current team would say that I often try to make everyone happy. It's an endless and impossible pursuit, so I am working hard to shake that mentality. I recently picked up a couple of leadership books and will be getting some pointers from them. One of my strong points is my ability to research and respond when I know I lack a particular skill."
"I am a highly experienced manager, and with that, sometimes comes the habit of breezing over certain parts of employee training because I assume the incumbent knows the topic well. I need to slow down and be more thorough regarding particular topics. I am solid in the XYZ industry; however, and have mentored many who have become high-level performers in this industry."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have a tendency of trying to make everyone one, which is like chasing the wind. They would agree on my ability to bring them together to form a strong team.
Mary's Feedback
Try reformatting for better understanding.
"If you were to interview past direct reports, they would share that my strength is my ability to unify a team and work together towards a shared vision. My strength has also been a liability, as I have spent too much time investing in individuals unwilling to align with the team's goals. This has improved over time."
Anonymous Answer
If they were to chose just one strength, it would be that I can be counted on to provide honest feedback. In contrast, one weakness would be that I have a tendency to take on too much at once.
Rachelle's Feedback
I like this strength because it's a skill that many people struggle with...providing honest feedback. Try offering a weakness that is less common or typical and then follow that up with what you are doing to improve on that skill.
Anonymous Answer
I believe that my team would say that I am a perfectionist which is something I am working on with letting unimportant details go. My strength is that I have a good relationship with everyone I work with and work hard to keep the overall team morale up.
Stephanie's Feedback
You do a great job of identifying your strengths, as well as an area for growth (and perfectionism can also double as a strength!) I suggest providing a specific example of each. Is there an example of a time when your perfectionist spirit was driving an outcome, and you learned to take a step back and accept the work that was being done without being so critical? On the strength/relationship building side, what are some specific ways that you've kept team morale up? Providing a specific example for each will make your response more memorable. You sound like a wonderful manager, by the way!
Anonymous Answer
I believe, my reportees would say, I am a highly experienced visionary leader having in-depth knowledge of the industry and next-gen technologies. These traits help me position the company well for the future. My weakness would perhaps be that I have too many ideas. It takes time for all the ideas to implement and produce results. I have worked on this issue and learned to contain my technology landscape keeping the reality of the budget, time constraints, and market needs.
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! In what ways have your employees witnessed your in-depth industry and technology knowledge? Can you talk more about this so the interviewer understands why you think they would say this about you? The weakness you cite here is a good one because it can also be seen in a positive light and because you talk about what you're doing to improve it. Great job!
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