Good Effective Management

You'll need to ensure that you've spent adequate time learning about the role you're applying for by reading the company's website, talking to people in management roles directly, even relying on acting in a management position if you're in a position to do so. Draw on all your resources to learn about the specific expectations of the management role you're applying for.

The interviewer wants to know what your ideas are about managing people, leading people, and how you handle management on a daily basis.

Your self-perception matters in this answer and the interviewer will be listening very carefully for how you describe yourself. Be sure to use positive, strong, and realistic words.

I do not confirm to a specific management style. I try to adjust my style of management to each situation, since part of my job is to assess both the best way to complete the project efficiently and the style of leadership that works best with current staff dynamics.

When it boils down to it, management involves two main things: ensuring the the job gets done, and ensuring that the people who get the job done are well looked after and enabled by the manager. Be sure that the way in which you respond demonstrates that you can get the job done and both enthuse and rein in the people doing it.

I work well with people who are hardworking, competent and confident of their abilities.

Obviously I have had to manage people who do not fall into this category. When this happens I set myself the challenge of developing the employee and helping them to use their skills to their fullest potential.

My goal is to support them towards competence and confidence through guidance, direction and mentoring.

I find that it is not effective to use only one type of management style, I have to adapt according to the individual I am dealing with and the situation. For example with inexperienced employees I use a management style that involves a high level of task instruction and close supervision. I find this effective because the employee needs to be secure that they know exactly what to do and how to do it. They also require constant support to build their confidence.

For a more experienced employee who is comfortable with the work, I delegate the task and expect them to come to me for help if they need it. This demonstrates my trust in their ability to do the job on their own.

In other words, use aspirational language as well as concrete examples, as this shows you continue to be willing to learn and update your management skills.

Since this is such a stock standard question, it shouldn't come as a surprise to you. And it should be something you've thought about well in advance. It can be helpful to brainstorm a list of the things that you think make you a good manager; this will serve as a memory prompt during the interview. As for a good answer, as recommended earlier, be sure to cover the purpose of management (to get the job done and to supervise) as well as addressing the expectations for the role you're applying for.

I'm sure if you asked my friends that question they would say you should hire me because I have the skills outlined in the job description and I bring 10+ years of expertise to this position. Words they've used to describe me are: hard working, professional, trusted and a team player.

I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. In researching the LMN company, your mission statement and the job description, I could see similarities to my previous position where there were some assignments that required a great deal of independent work and research and others where the team effort was most effective. As I said, I'm comfortable with both.

Discuss the original issues you had with your employee's behavior, describe the strategies you used to bring about change, and explain the overall effects you had on your employee's performance.

Talk about an aspect of your management style that you want to improve - if you can suggest that you aspire to become a better manager this will stand you in good stead. It will show that you aren't too set in your ways, are willing to learn new skills and techniques, and are more likely to adapt to a new working environment.

Are you open to new ideas from your team? A good manager won't feel threatened when staff make suggestions that will benefit the team. Think of examples where you've implemented new ideas that bring greater success to the business.

If you see yourself as part of the team, make sure you describe how that works. Weak managers may find that their status is undermined if they try to be one of the team, so demonstrate your strength. It might be that you are always willing to roll up your sleeves and get involved when things get tough, but have the ability to also step away to examine why things might be going wrong for one particular team member.

I work to inspire and motivate teamwork for achieving goals and influence valuable changes. I am always open to new ideas coming from team members. I consult with them frequently and encourage and support independent thinking. I believe in establishing an open discussion for decision-making. I recognize the skills of key team members and utilize their strengths to the benefit of the team.

Handling a team is a very important aspect of a manager's job, and therefore comprises a few of the most important interview questions of management style.

The best way to handle a team member's issues is to find out the root cause of it, and try to solve the issue, if it is logically and practically possible.