possible interview question

Question

I'm curious as to what some of you think an appropiate answer would be to the question of "how do you define leadership?" 

I'm comfortable answering with a dictionary type respones, but any suggestions as to what else they might be looking for?

also, if asked what I am passionate about, are they looking to see if I have hobbies outside of work? what are your guys "typical" responses to this question?
TIA

IHATEMELGIBSON1 · Answer

Passionate about should be something non school/work related and something that makes you stand out. Leadership shouldn't be a dictionary type response. They should remember your face and interview when they take a final look at your application. My interviewee probably remembers me because my voice cracked, my Very non traditional work, and creative answers

johnnyx9 · Answer

I think for leadership you should make it personal, and maybe cite an example. Something like, "To me, leadership means having the ability to inspire confidence and trust in others. I always think of Martin Luther King Jr. as the quintessential leader because of the way he inspired and mobilized large groups of people..." or something like that.

Passions should be something that shows "depth," that you're more than just an academic/work person. Music, travelling, photography, playing baseball would be okay, but kind of generic. Skydiving, community service, jellyfish-collecting, sculpting, or anything else random/memorable would be better.

lepium · Answer

I think that there's a garguantan amount of B.S. (pardon my French) associated with the whole "leadership" issue. I see that the harder people try to show themselves as leaders, the further they are. There are several theories on leadership: different types of leadership, leadership as a capability that some people are born with, leadership as something that can be tought, etc. Just investigate on the issue and you'll find out which type of leader you are or would like to be, and what are your highs and lows as a potential (or current) leader.

I also think that the whole "I'm not a manager so I'll have to lead the extra-curricular, which, btw, needs to be some kind of charity / community work" is kinda BS, as well. Don't go for standard formulas, that's what causing your demise!

Hope it helps. L.

aurobindo · Answer

Thanks Lepium. I know you got the essence.

possible interview question

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