Managers & Employees: Understanding Your Impact and Responsibilities / Interview Q & As

KayInspirer Leadership, CNP

Being in a HR Leadership role for 25 years, I have learned the impact of being a good leader and have seen the devastation of a bad leader.  I stand before the world today to say, I am glad to be a leader with grand character and authentic ethics.  

Skills, Competency, and Professionalism in the Workplace. Emotional Maturity, Understanding Boundaries, and most importantly: Your Heart

Manager’s Responsibilities: based on my experience, education, wisdom, and training.

There is a difference between being a manager and a leader. Some people cannot manage, and there are many who cannot lead.

  • Just because someone has the title doesn't mean they are capable of either (managing or leading).

  • Anyone in a manage or leadership role must understand their impact on how they are leading and managing.

  • Being a leader comes with many required competencies: confidence, assertiveness, knowledgeable, diversity, empathy, take risk, accountable, empower others, authentic, inspire, and motivate.  

  • Many unprofessional managers and leaders believe; because they have a title, a certain level of authority and degrees, they can do what they want.  False.

  • Some managers and leaders think that the company handbook don't apply to them.  False.

  • Leaders guide others, have mutual respect, are visionary,  trustworthy, and have a great deal of maturity.

  • A manager should know the work and the company purpose. Problem solving, responsiveness, maturity level must be visible.  

  • Must be organized, and control of operations, having things in order.  

  • In either position, it is Top-Down.

  • I think all managers, and specifically leaders should be required to take professional development training, diversity training, emotional intelligence and ethics training, so that they have the tools and know-how in these areas and more. 

  • Do not abuse your authority.

  • Learn to accept help from others.  You are not the smartest person because you have a title and in a position that has direct reports.

  • Don't be a bully manager or leader.  Trust me, you look ridiculous. It reveals low self-esteem, no respect, insecurity, inferiority, and really, it reveals your character.

  • Don't be afraid to hire professional, qualified people.  Welcome their knowledge.  Don't be insecure that you will be showed-up.  Bully managers, jealous people in management roles look to hire people that they can control.  

It is imperative for someone in a leadership role to understand the impact on how they are leading.  Being in a position of authority is very visible. 

Interview Questions + Acceptable Answers

Let’s be grateful for everything. Your life will be more balanced, you will appreciate even the smallest things. If you are looking for a job, that can be frustrating. And sometimes we can see a posting and say, oh this is my job because you meet all the qualifications. But this may not be the job that God has for you. Trust Jesus , the best is yet to come.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EVERY JOB INTERVIEW / UNDERSTAND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND HOW TO RESPOND.

First, please dress professionally, regardless of the position. If you do not have such clothing. I can help you. Reach out to me and explain your situation or just ask. I want everyone to receive an opportunity.

1. Tell me about yourself. Answer this question by focusing on your career/experiences. Not you personally. Although many nonprofit organizations ask personal questions because the organization may be ministry or meaningful work in the community.

2. What are you looking for in your next role. If you are looking to grow and build tenure, contribute by bringing forth your experience and team skills. This is your answer. You may be asked, what attracted you to this job.

3. What are you looking for in your next role. If you are looking to grow and build tenure, contribute by bringing forth your experience and team skills. This is your answer. You may be asked, what attracted you to this job.3

4. What would your manager say about you: I’m dependable, great administrative skills, build relationships, teamwork, and trustworthy.

5. Why did you leave your last employer: be honest, did you outgrow the position, and it was time to move on, Or you exceeded expectations and wants more of a challenge, or, maybe your company is going through re-organization and you were RIF (reduction in force-layoff). Read ** below.

**Many people have asked me, should I admit to being fired. Yes, You want to be honest. Keep in mind, this question is on many applications. Being fired is not the worst thing. It happened to me. It did not stop anything in my career. I still was able to accomplish my goals and go from HR Assistant to Chief HR Officer. We have to understand as believers, there are seasons in our life. I knew the manager that I reported to was jealous, I believe they were racist and definitely inferior of my skills and most importantly, I stood up for myself!

**When I was terminated, I fought back by filing discrimination because I hadn’t done anything wrong except being very stern to my manager, which they considered insubordination. Ok! I am a FIRM believer in doing my job with high standards and understand my role and impact. **Example, in a meeting with 12 people present, I was trying to explain the delay in HR process, and this manager told me, Linda, “shut up“! I replied to her in front of everyone, “ No, you shut up”! So, they were willing to overlook her treatment to me, however, used my response to release me. Ok. I trust Jesus and know I will continue on a path of achievements.

6. What is your salary requirements: Please do some Research before you interview, be confident and clear about your expectations, however, be realistic and please have experience. If a degree is required and you have one along with the experience, this supports what you are asking for. It is always good to give a salary range. If you have a degree with no experience, be excited about learning some skills. I have always advocated for companies to value their employees, so make the pay attractive.

7. What do you know about the company: PLEASE do your homework and search the company you are interviewing with BEFORE you attend the interview. You should know a few bullets points about the company. Then advised you are interested in learning more about the company.

8. How do you handle conflict: this is a question many do not like. I know some people do not like confrontation, ok, no worries there. Your response can be: If I have a conflict with someone, I think it is positive (or good) to go to that person and ask if you can speak with them to resolve the issue. Share your heart, “ i would like to discuss our issue, I apologize if I have done something as that is not my intention”. NOW——- you can’t approach everyone, so advising your manager that you would like to speak with the person with them present only because you do not want any “he-said, she-said”. Protect yourself. You cannot approach some people, specifically if they are not reasonable.

9. Why do you want to work here: Please honest as possible. Share you like the mission because their work is meaningful. If it is a Ministry-Faith based company and you are a Christian, explain what that means to you. Many people want to work for a company that value their employees, professional, righteous leadership . Also, you want stability where you can contribute and be a part of the company driven results (or success).

10. Behavioral Questions can be challenging so prepare and practice, practice, practice! Most behavioral questions identify your experience and how you performed the task. (1) You may be asked, what project have you completed and are proud of and why. Think about the project task and how you were able to complete it in a timely manner and what you did. (2) How do you engage with employees and colleagues: a good response can be: communication is key! staff meetings are important, hands-on approach, and inquire if they need help.

BE A RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE + UNDERSTAND YOUR IMPACT AS AN SUBORDINATE

  1. Be responsible; Be coach-able; Be mature and Grow up; Learn to control your emotions;

  2. Learn to be a mentor to new staff as t This is the start of good teamwork and trust.

  3. Understand how your role fit in the organization; Be accountable and own up to your mistakes.

  4. Learn to accept change; Change is good and you don't own the company; Every position is not a good fit

  5. Even I have experienced jobs that were not a good fit for me, therefore, write and think about: what is an advantage or disadvantage for me in this role.

  6. Learn proper etiquette; Have respect for yourself and others; Learn to listen. Don't be so reactionary; Always display good work ethics and consistent compliant behavior.

  7. If you complain, have a solution, or stop complaining; Workplace friendships are good, however, if conflict arise, it could affect your job.

  8. You must understand that you go to work to perform a job that the company is paying you to do; It would be positive to learn to have emotional intelligence, self-awareness.

  9. Writing things down means you can refer back to those notes.

Always display professionalism in the workplace, however, I am a form believer in standing my ground on those that play victim when they are the problem!

  1. For people that have a jealous spirit, work toward building good self-esteem, for yourself.

  2. STOP BEING JEALOUS OF OTHERS, it makes you look absurd. God talks about this in the authority (Bible).

  3. Don't get caught up in gossip. Remember, if you tell your personal business and it gets out, you are the one who decided to share that information in the beginning, so be careful.

  4. Learn to accept help from others. It doesn't make you look bad if you don't know a particular task. Trust me, people can figure out that you are pretending appearance.

  5. Please by all means understand that you are not entitled to slack off because of your job tenure. Be thankful that you have held the position (rightfully so).

  6. Don't be afraid to share your knowledge. Stop thinking someone will take your job. I understand job security, however, someone has to come behind us all.

WE ALL HAVE A PATH IN LIFE. IF YOU ARE A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST, THE BEST IS YET TO COME. TRUST GOD, HE WILL SPEAK TO YOUR HEART AND DIRECT YOUR PATH.

  • Always display good work ethics. Your heart and morals will discern this behavior.

  • Have boundaries, learn not to be reactionary. Learn self awareness. Learn your leader.

  • If you are a manager, be prepared for one of your staff members to try and make you look bad. As a manager, never have anything to hide.