What leadership style do you relate to most?
The interviewer wants to know how familiar you are with the different types of leadership styles, and which of those you find effective and model your own style after. Yours can also be a fusion of more than one style as well. It can be a bit uncomfortable answering questions like these, not knowing if there is a right or wrong way to answer the question, or the type of leadership style they may promote or frown upon in their organization. And sometimes that information isn't always easy to find online. But, you can follow industry trends, and which styles are more recruitable than others. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Good leaders inspire people to have confidence in their leader. Great leaders inspire people to have confidence in themselves."
"I am not sure if it is my place to say whether one style is the right way and another style is wrong. All I can do is speak from my own experience, and the types of leadership styles that have motivated me, provided me with a sense of accomplishment or job satisfaction, or helped me increase in ability. Personally, I would say I model myself off of more of an inspirational approach, and try to inspire and lead as more of an influencer. I like to think of myself as transformational, collaborative, and supportive. This is what I respond to, and what comes from my nature. I would rather respect my leader than fear them and I don't work well with those who have more of an authoritarian approach. Nor do I respect someone who has more of a laissez-faire approach. 'Do as I say and not as I do' never earns my trust nor my respect, and I don't find them motivating."
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