Team/Leadership Questions Flashcards
Can you talk about a team project or any kind of group activity you’ve worked on before?
I did a consulting project with Microsoft. The goal was to make the marketing of their financial services for Azure cloud more effective. I was an analyst in a 6-person team led by two project managers. I delegated tasks within the 6-person teams along with another person. The job required me to work pretty extensive hours at times and have unyielding attention to detail. At the end, with our recommendations, we were able to increase Microsoft’s brand awareness in the financial services space.
Can you describe a situation where the team did not work as intended? Whose fault was it?
- Use a situation where the team wasn’t working at first, you fixed it, and it ended up working
For the consulting club that I was a member of, myself and 2 others had to spearhead the setup of a community service project that the whole club could participate in. At first, it was hard to coordinate how we would work on it together due to some personality conflicts, but I eventually helped in securing everyone down to meet at a specific time to get the work done. Eventually, we finished the task properly.
Can you discuss an ethical challenge you were confronted with and how you responded?
During high school, I found people cheating off my papers multiple times during tests. Initially, I wondered whether reporting the cheating was the right thing to do, but eventually, I realized that reporting the cheaters was better for everyone in the long run, and I eventually began to do that.
What was the most difficult situation you faced as a leader and how did you respond?
During high school, I was in charge of a quiz bowl team that had won at a high level in prior years, and was expected to do so again that year. At first, the team has gotten complacent as they thought they would be able to win again just based on the prior performances. I was able to cooly explain to them that hard work led to wins in prior years and it would be needed again and I worked hard to set an example. These efforts led to another victory that year.
Can you discuss a time where you had to sacrifice your time for the sake of a team project?
During the financial services marketing project I had with Microsoft, the work got very hectic and time-consuming near the time of our final deliverable. Also around this time, I had an exam that constituted around 25% of my grade in a class. Because of my commitments to the team, I ended up not being able to study for the exam until a few hours before the exam actually occurred. However, I think my time spent towards my team project was well worth the time I sacrificed as the deliverable went well and the whole team was able to benefit as a result.
Do you work better as a leader or a follower?
I think I can function effectively as either and my disposition can be adjustable to what a team requires. I don’t want to do everything if my team is capable and self-sufficient, but in a time of need, I can absolutely step up and go far beyond what is expected of me.
use specific examples from ABA
What is your leadership style?
I can be responsible and ensure that assignments are completed in the intended manner, but I also don’t micromanage or intensely oversee those I’m leading. I try to set an example in terms of work and I do go over the work of those I’m leading with thorough attention to detail to ensure that it is perfect before sending it to a higher-up.
Does the leader make the team?
The team makes the team, as 1 person cannot/should be the core of an entire team. Leaders can provide guidance, unifying aims, and play a role as a mentor/advisor, but everyone on the team should be pulling their own weight.
