Personal qualities Flashcards
What is your greatest weakness
And how have you addressed it
From MPLA/previous interview: high degree of agreeableness
journey: hard nosed PM/PD -> collaborative as sponsor/in Gov ALBs in DfT: more in How I hold ALBs to account, without direct levers
Op Env: working across Gov, as not CS coming through the ranks
Developed political acumen and antennae in working with Ministers
across Gov working with Treasury and IPA
Broadened through PD HoP: advised BEIS on PMO, spoke at CS Live,
DfT’s thought leader on sponsorship, future Dev offers with IPA,
PD Profession disability champion
What is your most challenging/worst piece of feedback
and what did you do about it?
MPLA: low level of openness - down to earth, practical qualities
SLS learning: E/I balance, curious explorer v driven engineer
Look for innovation, embrace new ideas, whilst challenging viability
Incomplete leader model: build my senior team to complement me
Self effacing: in meetings, used to get buy in, rather than confront, recognise occasional humour has a place, rest is a serious business
Tough management style: high standards, tell it how it is
HA Regional Dir: poor feedback following Ministerial visit to DRC
Recognised this in my move to DfT: challenge to overcome
Developed my political antennae/ acumen and handling skills to influence Ministers: CG and road programme,
handling 2a Bill through turbulent Parliament
Ministers first Parliamentary events: NG 2R, AS revival motion
SLS (power) learning
What is your greatest strength?
How would you sum yourself up in one word?
Resilience / Resilient
Feedback from Director in early days at DfT
Background in leading in a crisis at TW and HA (2012 London Olympics) into delivering in Gov (2a Bill)
What is your greatest achievement?
What are you most proud of?
What has been your biggest challenge?
TASK: Leading to achieve outcomes that exceed expectations
delighted Ministers 2a Bill: AS revival, NG Commons 2nd 3rd R
DfT: A14 (stalled OBC approval) and LTC (CG alt location)
HA: 2012 London Olympics: M25 widening; then M4 BMV closure between Heathrow and central London
PEOPLE Dir Eng score: highest in Dft 72% for 3 years running
Development and progression: Gill & Ash
PDDP and increase in protected characteristics
In Site/Op env: H&S culture and ensuring all go home each day
Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership?
Parli: Revival motion and video conf for Lords Committee
What I did
Project: Tideway study, Little Marlow planning application, Hindhead tunnel start, M25 DBFO start up, A14 Strategic case, 2a start up
Crisis: BMV repairs following closure of M4 before Heathrow and central London, one week before 2012 London Olympics or M1 Fire
What I did
What does your team say about you?
What did your last 360 say about you
Tell me about yourself
From last SCS 360 in March 2020, feedback from my team and key Stakeholders: very effective across all three part of the CS leadership statement: Inspiring, Confident ~3.5, Empowering, plus Delivery, all improved since 2019
+ clear advice on strategy, leading a team, very inclusive (safe space), good role model
Weaknesses: show softer side, less self-effacing, demonstrate impact beyond own role (don’t wait to be asked, fill the gap), more coaching, less advisory, working more widely across Directorate? (2a in a different place)
- more feedback; low areas: surfacing tensions, resolving ambiguities
Overall approach: Engaging, Driven, Resilient
What was your most insightful feedback
And what did you learn from it
SLS: balanced between Extrovert and Introvert on Myers Briggs
Work with both: energy from a group and quiet time to think/reflect
I can be both: a driven engineer and curious explorer
