Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.

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Community Answers

Describing a time when you gave someone great advice that was well received makes for a perfect response to this question! Begin by telling the interviewer who you were providing advice to. Share how you approached the conversation with an understanding attitude, being sensitive to how the other person would respond to your feedback. Next, share the advice that you gave the person, and their initial response. Finally, be sure to mention that the person accepted your advice in the end, and provide an overview of the positive outcome.

"The first instance that comes to mind is the influence I had over my previous employees. I got to know them on a personal level and spent lots of time learning about them and their families in organic conversations at the office. My employees knew that I really cared about their wellbeing, not just their performance at work and what they could provide for me. So, when it came time to provide feedback or advice, I knew how to go about it carefully in a way that each person would receive. I knew Adam preferred to receive feedback privately and didn't like to be corrected publicly. I knew April appreciated very direct, immediate feedback so she could quickly make corrections. I knew that Sarah was not very comfortable accepting compliments, but that she appreciated hearing them. My employees appreciated the different approaches I took in my interactions with them and my openness to hear from them, and this caused them to best respond to advice, feedback, and constructive criticism for the betterment of the company."

Anonymous Answer

"When our leasing professional started at the lease-up, he struggled at first to find his groove in closing prospective residents. I was able to share some closing techniques that worked well for me over the years. He asked me to do a mock tour with him putting the different techniques into play, and he was able to see different scenarios and apply the methods. He was incredibly grateful for this and the next month he was able to capture 27 leases, a record-breaking month! Incredible!!!"

Rachelle's Feedback

Wow - you should be very proud of how much impact you had in this situation. This is a terrific example of going above to help others and seeing a positive result. One small thing - at the beginning of your response, try to include the role that you are referring to when setting the stage for your story. The more context you provide upfront, the easier it will be for your interviewer to follow along.