Question forms part of
Civil Service Question Bank
Project Manager Question & Answer Sheet
Other interview questions that are similar
- How do you motivate your team members to achieve their goals?
- Can you describe your approach to delegating tasks and responsibilities?
- How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within your team?
- What strategies do you use to ensure clear and effective communication with your team?
- Can you give an example of a time you had to adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of a particular team member or situation?
- How do you foster a positive and inclusive work environment?
- What role does feedback play in your management approach, and how do you deliver it?
- How do you balance being approachable and supportive while also holding your team accountable for their performance?
- How do you prioritize tasks and projects for your team, and how do you ensure they stay on track?
- Can you describe a time when you had to lead a team through a significant change or challenge? How did you handle it?
What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
There are probably an infinite number of questions that the interviewer could ask you on the day. Some questions are incredibly common appearing in almost every interview you will have, while other questions you might hear once and never again regardless of how many jobs you apply for.
Fundamentally though all interview questions are really trying to find out one of 3 things:
1 – Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?)
2 – Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?)
3 – Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?)
That’s it. Those are the 3 things that the interviewer is trying to ascertain. Every question that is asked of you will fundamentally be trying to resolve one (or more) of these 3 things.
So, let’s take a closer look at the interview question, “What is your management style?” and see how it connects back to one or more of the three things interviewers are trying to ascertain.
When an interviewer asks about your management style, they are primarily focusing on whether you will fit in with the company culture and existing team dynamics. A good fit will help ensure that you can work effectively with your colleagues and contribute positively to the team’s overall success.
Your management style may also touch on your ability to do the job. For example, if you demonstrate a keen understanding of how to delegate tasks, motivate team members, and communicate effectively, this shows that you have the skills and experience necessary to manage and lead a team successfully.
Lastly, the question can also provide insights into whether you will do the job with enthusiasm and commitment. Your response can reveal your level of motivation and dedication to achieving team goals, as well as your willingness to adapt and grow as a leader.
How Best To Answer ‘What is your management style?’
To effectively structure an answer to the question “What is your management style?”, consider following these steps:
- Briefly describe your management style: Start by providing a concise description of your management style. Use key terms that capture your approach, such as collaborative, results-oriented, or supportive.
- Highlight key principles or values: Emphasize the core principles or values that drive your management approach, such as clear communication, empowering team members, or continuous improvement.
- Provide a specific example: Offer a concrete example that demonstrates your management style in action. Describe a situation where you successfully applied your management approach to lead a team, resolve a conflict, or achieve a goal.
- Relate your style to the company’s culture: Connect your management style to the company’s culture or values. This shows that you’ve done your research and that you’re likely to be a good fit for the organization.
- Show adaptability: Lastly, acknowledge that your management style can evolve and adapt to different situations or team members’ needs. This demonstrates your flexibility and willingness to learn as a leader.
Remember to keep your response concise and focused, emphasizing the aspects of your management style that best align with the company’s values and the specific job requirements.
What You Should NOT Do When Answering Questions
Do not avoid the question.
Do not describe a failure (unless specifically asked).
Do not downplay the situation.
Do not overhype the situation.
Do not say you have no experience with the subject matter.
Do not reject the premise of the question.
Do not have a passive role in the situation.
Do not give a one-sentence answer.
Do not overly describe the scenario and miss the action
What is your management style? – Example answer
Well, I’d say my management style is pretty collaborative and supportive. I really believe in making sure that everyone on the team has a voice and feels empowered to share their ideas. You know, it’s important to me that everyone’s involved and engaged in the decision-making process.
One thing I always try to do is to keep communication as clear and open as possible. I think it’s super important to make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them, and also to be there to provide guidance and support when they need it.
Actually, there was this one time when my team was working on a project with a tight deadline. We were all a bit stressed out, and I could see that some of the team members were struggling to prioritize their tasks. So, I called a quick team meeting, and we all sat down and talked it through. We ended up reassigning some tasks and setting mini-deadlines to help everyone stay on track. It really helped, and we ended up delivering the project on time and within budget.
I’ve done some research about your company, and I feel like my collaborative approach would fit in really well with the culture you’ve got going on here. Of course, I’m always open to adapting my style to meet the needs of the team and the situation. At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure we work together effectively and achieve our goals.
Other Interview Question and Answers
79 Civil Service Interview Questions (And Example Answers)
94 Project Manager Interview Questions (And Example Answers)