Practice 40 New Manager interview questions covering leadership transition, team dynamics, and first-time management challenges.
Question 39 of 40
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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Some new managers end up struggling with asserting themselves in work environments that have more of a democratic approach, and where efforts are made to make sure everyone's voice is heard. The interviewer wants to see how capable you are at acting decisively, without taking an autocratic approach. They need to see that you can lead with confidence while engaging your team and retaining their trust. As Michelle Obama put it, "People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together." So think about a time when members of your team voiced doubt about the approach you wanted to take as a leader. Showcase your strong communication skills, and how you got everyone to adopt your approach.

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"There was a morning where things were going really well. One employee had a personal conflict that was causing them a certain degree of stress, and they were advocating for being allowed to get off work early since things seemed to be going so smoothly. I assured them if everything continued to go well, and our schedule allowed for it, I would consider it. So they put in a maximum effort. But, later, we got word our last delivery truck wouldn't be arriving at the warehouse until after our shift ended. So, when I suggested we take on several of the mid-shifts duties to ensure they would be able to shift priorities and handle the shipment, this employee voiced dissent, and got another employee aligned with their arguments. Despite their arguments, it was clear their true motive was getting off work early, despite how it would impact our other teams. So, I gave a speech about how we always help out our teams, even those teammates we don't see or often work with, and we always do the right thing. Otherwise, we shouldn't expect them to repay the favor in our hour of need. This rallied most of the team, and we took a vote, and when that single employee was the only dissenter, they fell silent and got to work."

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Written by Rachelle Enns
40 Questions & Answers • New Manager

By Rachelle

By Rachelle