Interview Advice: What would you do to gain respect as a new manager?

When interviewing candidates for managerial roles we need to understand how effective they are within the managerial function. To do this we ask them a series of questions around their management style and how they interact with other people. During this we may ask them a question like: Assuming that you've just joined a new company, what would do in the first few weeks to gain respect as the new manager?

Good and bad examples of responses to this question, and others, can be seen on our YouTube site at www.youtube.com/pmpconnect

A good example would involve the candidate saying something like:

"As a new manager coming in I would listen carefully and take lots of notes when needed. I'd be walking around and observing closely how the department was functioning and how everyone was interacting with other parts of the company. I'd talk to everyone and understand their roles and how their roles contribute to the overall goals of the department and the company.

By taking the time to understand how the company is currently operating will give the candidate lots of useful information, and by wanting to get to know their colleagues demonstrates that they are a team player.

The candidate would continue their response with: "I'd be using a lot of open questions about How and Why things are being done. I certainly wouldn't be assuming anything. In areas where I needed to know more, I'd be probing deeper to gain more insight. I would want to hear people's stories and listen to their accomplishments. It would probably be too early to make any changes, and I'd be open to hearing feedback about what people liked and what they thought needed changing."

Through using open questions the candidate is demonstrating that they listen to and respect their colleagues. By engaging with their new colleagues in this manner shows that they care about them as people.

By giving these answers the candidate is highlighting that they are skilled in people management and this would facilitate a smooth introduction when they joined their new company.

To the same question: "What would you do to gain respect as a new manager?" we have heard other less impressive candidates respond with:

"I would immediately have a meeting with everyone and give them a presentation with my plan for the future of the department. I would get their respect because I'd be the most senior and the most knowledgeable person in the room. If I felt that anyone was not with me I'd meet with them and ask them to explain their attitude. I'd tell them that I'm their new boss and there will be changes so they had better get used to it. I'd tell them that we need to be working together as a team and I can't afford to have anyone who's being negative. You need to be tough with the dissenters."

With this response the candidate is demonstrating a dominating and authoritarian approach. Words like 'my plan' are arrogant and won't generate respect with new colleagues.

As this response doesn't demonstrate effective team building and leadership skills the candidate is unlikely to proceed to further stages of the interview process.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• medical
• healthcare