As a senior project manager, you will lead cross-functional teams. How do you provide leadership to other seniors on a team that are experts within their area of focus?
Senior project managers provide leadership to resources who have expertise in areas other than project management. These subject matter experts are often well-respected leaders within their domain. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about how a candidate works with these talented resources in a leadership capacity.
Remember to demonstrate respect for your colleagues in your response. Leadership is best paired with humility, and candidates who understand they can share leadership responsibilities with these talented team members are valued.
"I am a hybrid leader, and I customize my approach to match the specific team and the individuals involved. I believe that anyone can be a leader at any time, and I consistently encourage the development of leadership qualities in all members of my teams. I lead by example and observe and learn from others as I go.
In the case of a subject matter expert, my role as a leader is to do whatever I can to facilitate their success. I respect their knowledge and let them lead in their area of focus. I offer my services as a sounding board to help them remove roadblocks when they need support. I counsel them when they are struggling with a junior resource performance issue. Finally, I offer them encouragement and support to continually improve their craft."
