If you’re applying for a job where you’ll lead others, you’ll probably get asked how you plan to motivate your team. Interviewers want to know, “What strategies would you use to motivate your team?”
Why do they ask this? Well, being able to cheer on your team is a big part of being a good manager. You’re in charge of how well your team does, and your bosses are watching. They want to see if you can share a clear goal and get everyone excited to reach it.
When a company hires you as a manager, they’re trusting you to help them succeed. The company’s success and good name partly rest on your shoulders. So it’s super important for them to know you can guide your team to finish tasks well and keep your best workers happy.
What interviewers want to hear about how you motivate others
Interviewers want to hear real examples from your past about how you’ve motivated people. The more specific you can be, the better. It’s like giving them a sneak peek at how you lead a team before they hire you.
They also want to know that you’re good at learning and changing when you need to. So, it’s smart to mention how you keep your leadership skills strong. Maybe you read books about famous leaders, go to leadership classes, or try out new ideas to see what works best. Sharing these things shows you’re always looking to get better.
How to answer “What strategies would you use to motivate your team?”
Tell a real story
To make your answer shine, share a real story from your own life. Think about a time when you had to get others excited to work toward a goal. Give details about what happened and how you helped your team succeed. Maybe you all reached a big goal or finished a really tough project together.
After you tell your story, explain what you did to make it all work out. Here are some ways you might have motivated your team:
- Included everyone in decisions
- Set fun goals and rewards
- Showed them the big picture
- Trusted them with important tasks
- Celebrated their successes
- Gave them helpful tips
Connect it to the job you’re applying for
Remember, the interviewer also wants to see how you’ll use these skills in the new job. So, talk about how you plan to motivate a team at their company. For example, if the company values teamwork, mention how you’ll encourage everyone to work together. If they love new ideas, talk about how you’ll inspire creativity.
Show your excitement
Lastly, be enthusiastic when you answer. Smile and let your passion for leading others shine through. When you’re excited, it’s contagious, and the interviewer will see that you’re truly eager to motivate a team.
How not to answer
Don’t give a hypothetical answer
Even if you haven’t been a manager before, it’s best not to answer with “I would do this” or “I might try that.” Instead, share real examples from your life where you motivated others. This shows the interviewer that you have hands-on experience. For example:
- School projects: Maybe you worked on a group project and got your classmates excited about your idea. You might have organized the tasks and encouraged everyone to do their best.
- Team sports: If you played on a sports team, perhaps you cheered on your teammates during tough games or helped them practice skills.
- Volunteer work: Maybe you helped organize a community event and inspired others to join and contribute.
By sharing real stories, you show that you know how to motivate people, even if it wasn’t in a job setting.
Sample answer to “What strategies would you use to motivate your team?”
Example #1
“I believe people do their best work when they feel supported and heard by their manager. That’s why I like to have regular one-on-one meetings with each team member, even if it’s just for 15 minutes each week. During these chats, I celebrate their successes, help them with any problems, and set clear goals together.
For instance, I know that at Rutherford & Co., the big goal is to bring in new customers. In our meetings, I would help my team improve their sales pitches, share tips on how to connect with potential clients, and tackle any challenges they might have when reaching out to new customers. This way, everyone feels motivated and knows exactly how they contribute to the company’s success.”
Why this works:
This answer shows you value open communication and personal growth. By explaining your strategy of regular check-ins, you give the interviewer a clear picture of how you support and motivate your team. You also connect your approach directly to the company’s goal of gaining new customers, showing you’re ready to help the team succeed in this specific role.
Example #2
“When I was in college, I led a group project where we had to create a marketing plan. I found that people are more motivated when they feel their ideas matter. So, I encouraged everyone to share their thoughts and be part of the decision-making process. We held brainstorming sessions where every idea was welcome. This not only made our project more creative but also made everyone excited to work on it.
If I become a manager here, I would use the same approach. For example, since your company values innovation, I would set up team meetings where everyone can pitch ideas for new products or improvements. This way, the team feels involved and motivated to contribute their best.”
Why this works:
This answer is effective because it shows you have experience motivating a team, even if it wasn’t in a traditional job setting. By sharing a real-life example from school, you demonstrate your leadership skills. You also connect your strategy to the company’s culture of innovation, showing that you understand what’s important to them and how you can contribute.
Example #3
“During my internship at Tech Solutions, I noticed that people work harder when they see how their tasks fit into the bigger picture. So, I started sharing updates with the team about how our work was impacting the company’s success. For instance, when we completed a project ahead of schedule, I showed them how this helped the company save money and win new clients.
If I have the chance to lead a team here, I would make sure to keep everyone informed about how their work makes a difference. Knowing that what they do matters can be a big motivator.”
Why this works:
This example is great because it shows you understand the importance of helping team members see the value of their work. By sharing how you did this during an internship, you demonstrate practical experience. You also explain how you’d apply the same strategy to motivate your team at this company, making your answer relevant and thoughtful.
Using your answer to give the interviewer a mental image of you in the manager’s seat will help them feel confident you have the leadership skills necessary to do the job.