Can you share a time when you worked with a manager who had a different leadership style than you were used to? How did you adapt and continue to perform well? For applicants with no work experience, can you share a time in school, volunteering, or your personal life when you worked with someone who led a group differently than you were used to? How did you adapt and complete your tasks successfully?
Answer (1)
In school, I once worked on a group project where our leader had a different leadership style than I was used to. Normally, I prefer leaders who give clear step-by-step instructions, but this leader was more flexible and allowed us to decide on our own tasks. At first, I felt confused because I wanted more structure. However, I adapted by taking initiative to organize my part and also coordinated with my classmates. I learned to communicate more openly, asking questions when I needed clarity. In the end, our project turned out well because I combined my style of planning with the leader’s style of freedom. This experience taught me that adapting to different leadership styles helps us become more flexible, cooperative, and successful in completing tasks.
