Tough Managerial Mock Interview
Master 30 Tough Managerial interview questions covering conflict, difficult decisions, and high-pressure scenarios.
Question 14 of 30
What is the #1 attribute a manager should possess? Discuss how you emulate this characteristic.
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
When approaching this question, consider that there is a difference between attributes and skills. An attribute is a quality you naturally have where skills are learned through your education, training, and experiences. When the interviewer asks about important attributes, they want to know more about the qualities and characteristics you consider most important rather than the 'hard skills' of a manager.
There are many attributes that a manager should possess. Choose one that you believe to be most important, and be ready to discuss how you emulate this characteristic. Give a story-based example that supports your claim.
Some attributes to consider:
- Enthusiasm
- Drive
- Initiative
- Competency
- Positive mindset
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"The number one attribute a manager should possess is a positive mindset. With a positive mindset, I can encourage others and inspire them to bring enthusiasm and energy to their work. It's always easier to lead and influence others when they have a positive mindset to follow. An example of when my positive mindset made a difference for my team was when our company was going through a hostile takeover. Team members were fearful of being laid off, and the ones who felt confident that their job was secure were afraid that the work environment would change for the worse. I led daily huddles with my team during the entire takeover process. I helped to alleviate fears and create a positive yet realistic mindset around the organizational changes. In the end, many people across our company lost their jobs, but approximately 80% of my team were retained, which was the highest retention number across any department. I believe the positive mindset that I spread allowed my team to face the headwinds of change and make the best of the situation."
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