What will be the best answer for the question for a HR professional in an interview for the question,"What is your greatest flaw in your leadership style?"
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Dear Das500,
The skill of the interviewer lies in asking questions in such a way that the interviewee does not realize whether their knowledge level or a particular competency is being assessed. A seasoned interviewer generally avoids direct questions. Instead, they ask a series of questions to understand the job candidate's mindset or approach to work.
If the interviewer asks a simplistic question like "What is your greatest flaw in your leadership style?", it raises questions about the interviewer's ability to conduct an interview. It is not advisable to join an organization where unfit interviewers are employed.
Reply to your Query: When asked a question of this kind, the interviewee might say that they always strive to improve their self-awareness. However, as of now, they have yet to identify their "greatest flaw." Nevertheless, your organization may conduct a psychometric test like MBTI or DISC. It will benefit both of us!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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The skill of the interviewer lies in asking questions in such a way that the interviewee does not realize whether their knowledge level or a particular competency is being assessed. A seasoned interviewer generally avoids direct questions. Instead, they ask a series of questions to understand the job candidate's mindset or approach to work.
If the interviewer asks a simplistic question like "What is your greatest flaw in your leadership style?", it raises questions about the interviewer's ability to conduct an interview. It is not advisable to join an organization where unfit interviewers are employed.
Reply to your Query: When asked a question of this kind, the interviewee might say that they always strive to improve their self-awareness. However, as of now, they have yet to identify their "greatest flaw." Nevertheless, your organization may conduct a psychometric test like MBTI or DISC. It will benefit both of us!
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Colleague,
This is a very tricky question many senior interviewers ask not only in HR but also in many functional interviews: "What is your greatest flaw in your leadership style?"
This is a deep question, akin to bringing out a big ice rock by touching the iceberg. The interviewer is clever in asking this question to elicit deeper insights that many candidates may reluctantly share just to provide an answer. Often, candidates relate a past incident and elaborate on it in detail. Through the response, the interviewer attempts to evaluate the candidate critically. In my view, more than just facts, an intelligent answer is crucial. We used to ask such questions in some of our Behavior Event Interview (BEI) sessions with the assistance of psychologists, which differ from common interview scenarios.
The best way to respond is to say, "There is nothing like a flaw in leadership; every decision I made as a leader was appropriate given the circumstances and facts of each situation. I always strive to make the right decisions, and as a leader, these decisions are flawless as they are made after careful consideration. However, not all decisions yield immediate desired results, as you would also acknowledge, but they may prove beneficial in the long run." Such an answer would be suitable in such interview scenarios.
From India, Chennai
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This is a very tricky question many senior interviewers ask not only in HR but also in many functional interviews: "What is your greatest flaw in your leadership style?"
This is a deep question, akin to bringing out a big ice rock by touching the iceberg. The interviewer is clever in asking this question to elicit deeper insights that many candidates may reluctantly share just to provide an answer. Often, candidates relate a past incident and elaborate on it in detail. Through the response, the interviewer attempts to evaluate the candidate critically. In my view, more than just facts, an intelligent answer is crucial. We used to ask such questions in some of our Behavior Event Interview (BEI) sessions with the assistance of psychologists, which differ from common interview scenarios.
The best way to respond is to say, "There is nothing like a flaw in leadership; every decision I made as a leader was appropriate given the circumstances and facts of each situation. I always strive to make the right decisions, and as a leader, these decisions are flawless as they are made after careful consideration. However, not all decisions yield immediate desired results, as you would also acknowledge, but they may prove beneficial in the long run." Such an answer would be suitable in such interview scenarios.
From India, Chennai
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Dear colleague,
The interviewer, in asking this question, is assuming the following:
1. That you are occupying a leadership position.
2. That you have a leadership style.
3. That you have flaws at some time.
Think quickly if these assumptions apply to you in total.
If yes, you could narrate candidly the experience/incident where you have flawed.
If you have never analyzed yourself on this aspect and are facing this question in an interview for the first time, then please be frank and say that you have had no occasion to test your leadership style. However, you would love to test it and improve upon it.
In the absence of real experience in this regard, you have to think on your feet and offer a convincing reply to this loaded question that will truly speak of the person you really are rather than choosing, on the spur of the moment, any reply to make it appear as an attempt to unduly 'impress' the interviewer.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR and Employee Relations Consultant
From India, Mumbai
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The interviewer, in asking this question, is assuming the following:
1. That you are occupying a leadership position.
2. That you have a leadership style.
3. That you have flaws at some time.
Think quickly if these assumptions apply to you in total.
If yes, you could narrate candidly the experience/incident where you have flawed.
If you have never analyzed yourself on this aspect and are facing this question in an interview for the first time, then please be frank and say that you have had no occasion to test your leadership style. However, you would love to test it and improve upon it.
In the absence of real experience in this regard, you have to think on your feet and offer a convincing reply to this loaded question that will truly speak of the person you really are rather than choosing, on the spur of the moment, any reply to make it appear as an attempt to unduly 'impress' the interviewer.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR and Employee Relations Consultant
From India, Mumbai
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Identifying and Correcting Leadership Flaws
If a leader can identify the greatest flaw, they would take corrective action. No leader can survive if "the greatest flaw" becomes a permanent fixture.
Yes, a leader may take a course of action based on the available information, which may turn out to be the wrong course. A sensible leader realizes this when they have made a wrong decision and takes remedial action.
If there is a personality flaw, the leader will soon cease to remain a leader in the corporate world.
Regards, Col. Suresh Rathi
From India, Delhi
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If a leader can identify the greatest flaw, they would take corrective action. No leader can survive if "the greatest flaw" becomes a permanent fixture.
Yes, a leader may take a course of action based on the available information, which may turn out to be the wrong course. A sensible leader realizes this when they have made a wrong decision and takes remedial action.
If there is a personality flaw, the leader will soon cease to remain a leader in the corporate world.
Regards, Col. Suresh Rathi
From India, Delhi
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Turning Flaws into Strengths in Leadership
There are some flaws in every leader; the goal is to transform these flaws into positive strengths. For instance, if you say you become very anxious while dealing with any issue, it could demonstrate your determination, commitment, and motivation to excel. Another answer could highlight your result orientation. An evasive answer can reflect negatively on you. While a candid confession might not always be appreciated, it is essential to provide a convincing response. You may need to think of a couple of instances where such a trait was evident and how the organization benefited from it.
From India, Mumbai
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There are some flaws in every leader; the goal is to transform these flaws into positive strengths. For instance, if you say you become very anxious while dealing with any issue, it could demonstrate your determination, commitment, and motivation to excel. Another answer could highlight your result orientation. An evasive answer can reflect negatively on you. While a candid confession might not always be appreciated, it is essential to provide a convincing response. You may need to think of a couple of instances where such a trait was evident and how the organization benefited from it.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Das500,
Well, gentleman, you have raised a query on "What Is Your Greatest Flaw In Your Leadership Style?" Your post merits evaluation of the very question you have asked the members of this forum.
The post does not give background information. Whether the originator of the post has raised this post in the capacity of an interviewer or interviewee is not known. Furthermore, we do not know the logic behind raising the query. Therefore, raising a post on the public forum sans sufficient information, can we consider this as a flaw of the leadership style?
The senior members of this forum were generous and have given their replies. Each reply has depth and has a good application of logic. However, there is no formal acknowledgment. Not expressing gratitude to those who have given replies is nothing but imperviousness or imperiousness. Can we consider this as a flaw of the leadership style?
You have raised two other posts on the day this post was raised. Though the other two posts did not get sufficient replies, they too met the same fate of imperviousness. It appears that you have become too ensconced in your world that even after a week since the posts were raised, you do not have time even to pay lip service also! Therefore, remaining disconnected shows a lack of humility. Can we consider a lack of humbleness as a flaw of the leadership style?
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Well, gentleman, you have raised a query on "What Is Your Greatest Flaw In Your Leadership Style?" Your post merits evaluation of the very question you have asked the members of this forum.
The post does not give background information. Whether the originator of the post has raised this post in the capacity of an interviewer or interviewee is not known. Furthermore, we do not know the logic behind raising the query. Therefore, raising a post on the public forum sans sufficient information, can we consider this as a flaw of the leadership style?
The senior members of this forum were generous and have given their replies. Each reply has depth and has a good application of logic. However, there is no formal acknowledgment. Not expressing gratitude to those who have given replies is nothing but imperviousness or imperiousness. Can we consider this as a flaw of the leadership style?
You have raised two other posts on the day this post was raised. Though the other two posts did not get sufficient replies, they too met the same fate of imperviousness. It appears that you have become too ensconced in your world that even after a week since the posts were raised, you do not have time even to pay lip service also! Therefore, remaining disconnected shows a lack of humility. Can we consider a lack of humbleness as a flaw of the leadership style?
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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As for my self-evaluation, I believe my leadership was balanced and helped team members achieve organizational goals while also reaching their personal aspirations. My leadership style blended authoritative and supportive traits, aiming to motivate the slowest team members and maintain the pace of the fastest ones.
Nobody is perfect, and neither am I. Alongside positive traits, I identified some weaknesses in my leadership style. One weakness was my spoken language, which sometimes hindered me from adding a personal touch to team interactions. However, I ensured that everyone was aligned and utilized various technological tools to help them understand our expectations.
Overall, there is room for improvement in my leadership style, and I am actively addressing my shortcomings to better guide my team in technical, personal, and emotional aspects.
From India, Noida
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Nobody is perfect, and neither am I. Alongside positive traits, I identified some weaknesses in my leadership style. One weakness was my spoken language, which sometimes hindered me from adding a personal touch to team interactions. However, I ensured that everyone was aligned and utilized various technological tools to help them understand our expectations.
Overall, there is room for improvement in my leadership style, and I am actively addressing my shortcomings to better guide my team in technical, personal, and emotional aspects.
From India, Noida
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Dear Das500, First, let us understand your question here. I feel the terms "Best Answer" and "Greatest Flaw" are both irrelevant here. Both the answers and the flaws are relative terms. My best answer could be the worst for you, and your greatest flaw may be my strongest point. Hence, your search here should be for "good answers" and not the best one.
Having settled that, let me come to my answer. I feel, as a leader myself, I must know that nothing in this world is completely flawless. Right from the source of life, the sun, to our own functional human body, everything is with a flaw or two. The sun sets and even gets clouded, the human body is so asymmetrical and changing every second.
Having realized and accepted that nothing in this world is flawless, as an interviewee, let me accept my flaws. However, I shall not term any of it as the greatest as there may be nothing as such. The number of flaws in my leadership may vary from time to time as they may be fluctuant and depend on the situations themselves.
Finally, just for your question's sake, the greatest (?) flaw in my leadership would be to think that I, being flawless, am the greatest leader of all.
From India, Mumbai
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Having settled that, let me come to my answer. I feel, as a leader myself, I must know that nothing in this world is completely flawless. Right from the source of life, the sun, to our own functional human body, everything is with a flaw or two. The sun sets and even gets clouded, the human body is so asymmetrical and changing every second.
Having realized and accepted that nothing in this world is flawless, as an interviewee, let me accept my flaws. However, I shall not term any of it as the greatest as there may be nothing as such. The number of flaws in my leadership may vary from time to time as they may be fluctuant and depend on the situations themselves.
Finally, just for your question's sake, the greatest (?) flaw in my leadership would be to think that I, being flawless, am the greatest leader of all.
From India, Mumbai
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LEADERSHIP STYLE Self Assesment.pdf
Interview Question and Answer.doc