Team / Leadership Questions Flashcards
Can you talk about a team project or some kind of group activity you’ve worked on before?
S - In one of my previous jobs the company decided to shut down and relocate our store to a bigger location.
T - We had one week between the current store being shut down and the new location opening. In that time we had to move everything from the current store to the new store as well as unbox additional merchandise and materials and set up the new store for a grand opening.
A - I suggested we allocate specific tasks to each person based on their strengths. I was responsible for unboxing and setting up a product line I had the most experience with. Once I finished, putting up all the merchandise and creating a visually appealing display, I helped a different team organize and put up all the excess stock that would be kept in the back of the store.
R - Due to our coordinated efforts, we were able to open a day early, just in time for the holiday rush.
Can you describe a situation where a team did not work as intended? Whose fault was it?
There was this one particular project in college where we faced scheduling conflicts due to one team member’s time management issues. We approached the situation by proposing adjustments to accommodate the team’s needs, but personality conflicts made this difficult. To resolve the issue, I suggested a role swap between team members that aligned better with their preferences. The group’s roles were assigned by the professor but we convinced her into allowing this change and were able to proceeded to complete the project effectively.
Can you discuss an ethical challenge you were confronted with and how you responded?
In a previous role where I handled cash, I was responsible for signing internal receipts as part of our security protocols. One day, a superior suggested that this step was unnecessary to expedite the closing process. To make sure this information was accurate, I consulted my manager, who confirmed that signing receipts was a required security measure. Instead of directly reporting the supervisor, I diplomatically informed them about the protocol’s importance. Moving forward, I monitored the situation to ensure compliance with the procedure.
What was the most difficult situation you faced as a leader and how did you respond?
One of the most challenging situations I encountered as a leader was during an opening shift at Foot Locker when two of my team members didn’t show up. I had one team member who called out sick and another who didn’t show up without notice. I was left alone to run the store with only a security guard. This had never happened before and when I informed my manager, she was against closing the store and said she would be there in two hours to help out, asking me to hold it down until then. Realizing there was no way I would be able to juggle multiple customers while handling the register at the same time, I came up with the idea of allowing one to two customers in at a time. I told the security guard to lock the door and inform customers we were short-staffed, only allowing one to two in at a time. By asking for their patience and understanding, we were able to hold it down until my manager arrived, ensuring minimal disruption to business.
Can you discuss a time where you had to sacrifice your time for the sake of a team project?
During the summer when I was working at The Zalaquett Group and completing the Year Up program, one of my friends who ran a wedding decor business asked for my help. She had received a large number of bookings while her partner was on vacation, and needed assistance, primarily for transportation as she didn’t have a vehicle, but also for setting up the decor. Despite my already busy schedule, I made several trips to transport materials and spent hours helping with the decor setup. Even though we were under significant time pressure, by working together and carefully managing our time, we successfully completed the decor in time for the weddings.
Do you work better as a leader or a follower?
I can function effectively as both a leader and a follower, depending on what the situation calls for. For instance, during a rotational fellowship, I was working on an Excel project, and being the most exeperienced with Excel on that team, I naturally took the leadership role. However, when we worked on a project management assignment involving the scrum framework, I took a backseat since another team member had more relevant experience in that area. This shift allowed us to receive proper direction and complete the project efficiently and effectively.
What is your leadership style?
My leadership style is moderate. I like to take responsibility and guide the team, but I also believe in giving team members the space to do their work without micromanaging. For instance, during a group project for my Business Policy class, I noticed the team worked more efficiently when instructions were included directly in the report document rather than in a separate pdf. By integrating the instructions into the work file, the team found it easier to stay on track and complete tasks more quickly. Moving forward, I always ensured that instructions were readily accessible within the working documents.
Does the leader make the team?
I don’t believe one person alone can make a team. The team makes the team. A leader is just a member of that team whose job is to provide direction and keep the team unified. For instance, during my experience with Year Up, we were working on a data analysis project and had the option of creating the visuals using either Tableau or Power BI. The team was divided as some members had experience with one tool while others preferred the other. To resolve this conflict, I reminded everyone of our common goal and identified which software could best serve that goal. I then proposed that the team members most experienced with the selected software take some time to teach the less experienced members. This approach resolved much of the tension, and we were able to move forward effectively with Tableau.
