50 Common Interview Questions & Answers

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself?

Answer: The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

 

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Answer: Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

 

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Answer: Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

 

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

Answer: You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

 

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Answer: Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

 

6. What do you know about this organization?

Answer: This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

 

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Answer: Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

 

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Answer: Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

 

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

Answer: This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

 

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Answer: Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

 

11. What is your Expected Salary?

Answer: A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?

In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

 

12. Are you a team player?

Answer: You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

 

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Answer: Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or as long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

 

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone?

Answer: How did you feel about that? This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

 

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

Answer: The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done?

Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

 

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer: Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

 

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Answer: If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

 

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?

Answer: You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

 

19. Why should we hire you?

Answer: Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

 

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made?

Answer: Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

 

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

Answer: This is a trap question. Think really hard, but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

 

22. What is your greatest strength?

Answer: Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, your problem-solving skills, your ability to work under pressure, your ability to focus on projects, your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, your positive attitude

 

23. Tell me about your dream job?

Answer: Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

 

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Answer: Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

 

25. What are you looking for in a job?

Answer: See answer number 23.

 

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Answer: Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

 

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Answer: Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

 

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

Answer: There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

 

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?

Answer: Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

 

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Answer: Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

 

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Answer: You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

 

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Answer: Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

 

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

Answer: This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

 

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights / Weekends?

Answer: This is up to you. Be totally honest.

 

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?

Answer: Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tells you that you are successful.

 

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

Answer: You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.

 

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Answer: This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

 

38. Describe your management style?

Answer: Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

 

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Answer: Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

 

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Answer: Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

 

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Answer: Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Answer: Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

 

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

Answer: First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard-working, quick learner.

 

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Answer: Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

 

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute?

Answer: Between others. Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem-solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

 

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Answer: Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

 

47. Describe your work ethic?

Answer: Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

 

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Answer: Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

 

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Answer: Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Answer: Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples

And, finally, Best of Luck! Hope you will be successful in the interview you are going to face in the coming days.

 

"Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart, because you might wake up one day & realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones."

 

Remember this always in life!

Image Source: @Freepik

Dr Kalam on Success & Entrepreneurship

'A clear aim, knowledge, hard work and perseverance spells success'

A vibrant octogenarian -- that's what describes Dr Kalam best. For a man of 80 summers, Dr Kalam is extraordinarily full of life even at 8.15 pm when we sat down for a freewheeling chat, nay an experience. We ask him about his famous 'thinking hut' at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"It is a great place," he says. "Two books came out of there. Here, I don't have sufficient area -- but everywhere I capture thoughts." His infectious enthusiasm overpowers us all as we hear him talk about how to live a life to its fullest possible potential. Here are the excerpts of his interaction with Team Careers360.

Q. Sir, you always say that we must dream big & follow our dreams. What makes one follow one's own dreams?Parents, access or commitment?

A. Dreams are finally nothing but goals or mission in life. In my case I had great teachers in various phases of life. And also my parents, my father & mother were very useful teachers to me throughout their lives. I was the only fellow in the family studying, & their commitment to me was absolute. The spiritual environment at home shaped me. You should convert your goals & mission to success in spite of problems. That is my lifelong commitment.

Q. Sir, what is more important, the ability to handle failure or the ability to respond to failures?

A. Of course, I have myself gone through many successes & a few failures. And I have also met a number of successful people throughout the world wherever I have gone, & when I discuss with them, they reveal how many problems they have encountered, what kind of failures they have had. So, I have come to the conclusion that great success has some element of failure also. I still remember Prof. Satish Dhawan, he gave me a project in 1973, were you born then?

'...if you don't do any work, you don't experience any problem'

Q. I was born in '73.

A. (A burst of laughter) He gave me the SLV Project in 1973, & named me the Project Director. I found that there were a lot of senior people above me, you know, experienced people, they should support me & there were a number of youngsters with high technical knowledge. So, I had to bring them all together to succeed. At that time I was in my thirties, 39 or 40. So, I was frightened, whether I can do it. It's a great job, how can I do it for the first time, how to build a rocket, to make a satellite, & it's a big vision and how can I do it?

Q. And the nation's expectations were on you?

A. A lot of expectation. So then Prof. Satish Dhawan, the chairman saw my hesitation. He called me and gave me some advice, famous advice. He said, "Kalam, if you don't do any work, you don't experience any problem." Even in media, if you don't report there is no problem. If you report, problem starts. (He laughs heartily at this). So, Prof. Dhawan said major programmes are always coupled with major problems. But don't allow problems to become your captain, you should become the captain of the problem. Defeat the problem & succeed. This advice he gave me in 1973, even now it's true. It is true for politicians, educationists, media people, it's true in every area. So, the message I'm giving is we should take control of the problems, okay?

Q. Sir, why do we find 2/3 of India's engineering graduates unemployable? What do you think is the underlying problem?

A. During my recent visit to Canada I visited a University called Waterloo. For an engineering degree students are taught in the classroom for one year, the next year they go to the industry. So two out of four years they spend in the industry. And in the industry they learn to work within the system, it may be the software system or the hardware system, machine system, electronic system, or chemical system. But they learn to apply what they studied at the university. So when they graduate there is good demand for them. They can hit the ground running.

'It taught me the value of planning, of teamwork, of time'

Q. So, it is lack of integration between real-life work & academia that is the problem?

A. I want to share with you my own experience. In 1957 I studied aeronautical engineering in Madras Institute of Technology. It was a difficult discipline to get into & we were only 9 students. Now, Prof. Srinivasan gave us a six months project in our final year. The project was to design low-level (low altitude, he clarifies) attack fighter aircraft. So, having studied, aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, control, etc., here we have to put them together into a workable aircraft system design. I was the Project Leader for that. I was the ninth, so eight other people are there, someone would give propulsion, some other aerodynamics etc. So, after four-and-a-half-months of study, I was there in my laboratory. The teacher, my guide comes. At that time we did not have computers, I was using the design board for drawing the design of the aircraft & my friends were all around me. So, he comes and sees and says, "I'm completely disappointed with your work; I am going to stop your scholarship if you don't complete the design in two weeks time." (Dr Kalam laughs.) It was a very costly education, if my scholarship stopped, I had to return home. I talked all kinds of things, gave him excuses, told him we had worked so hard, all of us are suffering etc. But to no avail. And so, finally all of us joined together day & night, Saturdays, Sundays; we didn't even go to our hostels. And we designed the fighter aircraft. On a Sunday evening Prof. Srinivasan came, exactly one day before the deadline. He saw the design, he was very happy. Then, he gave us Madras coffee in his house. (Dr. Kalam laughs again as he remembers).

It taught me the value of planning, of teamwork, of time. But what we learned most out of that is that in the education system, while we study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering etc. we should also have a clear understanding of how it all fits into a larger system, a productive system. So students must also be taught system design, system integration, system management, since that is what the industry wants. Our educational system should promote that.

Q. Why, sir, is entrepreneurship and skill development very important to you?

A. We add seven million people every year at 10+2 level & three million graduates every year. So, we inject ten million people into the society every year as employment seekers. This is because entrepreneurship is not taught, either in the secondary school education or in higher education or university education. Entrepreneurship is not part of the curriculum, neither is acquisition of usable skills. That's why I'm saying if 30 per cent people have to procure their skills, that training should be started during the period of education itself.

Q. Sir, what would be three qualities which you think one requires for success in life?

A. I will say four qualities, okay. Number 1, a clear aim in life, without it you will be going in all directions. Second, you should acquire the knowledge. You acquire knowledge in multiple ways. Great books should be your friend, great teachers should be a friend, & even home environment & parents can help you gain knowledge. The third aspect is hard work with devotion. I am saying since your work is towards your mission, it should be permeated with the devotion to that mission you have in mind. And the fourth one is perseverance. Persevere continuously. You do these four things & you can become anything. All these four things you have, work for it, you will achieve anything.

'Report the success story of a fisherman, an agrofood processor, a farmer, a craftsman'

Q. Sir, would you then say, that it finally boils down to focusing on one mission in life?

A. No, it is finally that the goal should be in front of you. That is my experience. We are always tempted to do many things simultaneously. But if you start doing one thing, have one goal & put all your efforts into that, then definitely you will succeed. Of course, you have to win! A problem always appears here & there but you have to face the problem & defeat the problem.

Q. Sir, how do we, at Careers360 add better value for our readers?

A. You should not become just like any other magazine. You see 700 million people are living in the rural area, you are reporting about 300 million people. So you should report the success story of a fisherman, an agrofood processor, a farmer, a craftsman. The message is become the magazine of a billion people population.

Q Sir, one last word to our readers.

A. They must think in a big way. I remember 2000 years back, there is a famous saying in Thirukural by Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar -- Vellathanaythu Malar Neetam Mandartham Ullathanaytu Uyarvu. It means that, just like the height of the water in a pond determines the height to which a lily would grow, it is the heights of thoughts that determines the heights to which you could aspire for. So as human beings they should have great thoughts, great aims, & when thoughts become transformed into actions performed with perseverance & devotion, success has to follow. Thank you very much sir.

17 Management Funda's

1. "We will do it" means "You will do it"

2. "You have done a great job" means "More work to be given to you"

3. "We are working on it" means "We have not yet started WORKING on the Same"

4. "Tomorrow first thing in the morning" means "Its not getting done "At least not tomorrow!"

5. "After discussion we will decide - I am very open to views" means "I have already decided, I will tell you what to do"

6. "There was a slight mis-communication" means "We had actually lied"

7. "Lets call a meeting and discuss" means "I have no time now, will talk later"

8. "We can always do it" means "We actually cannot do the same on time"

9. "We are on the right track but there needs to be a slight extension of the deadline" means "The project is screwed up, we cannot deliver on time."

10. "We had slight differences of opinion "means "We had actually fought"

11. "Make a list of the work that you do and let's see how I can help you" means "Anyway you have to find a way out no help from me"

12. "You should have told me earlier" means "Well even if you told me earlier that would have made hardly any difference!"

13. "We need to find out the real reason" means "Well I will tell you where your fault is"

14. "Well Family is important; your leave is always granted. Just ensure that the work is not affected," means, "Well you know..."

15. "We are a team," means, "I am not the only one to be blamed"

16. "That's actually a good question" means "I do not know anything about it"

17. "All the Best" means "You are in trouble"

Famous Quotes by Great Minds

Famous Quote #1
‘People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be’ - Abraham Lincoln

Famous Quote #2
‘Everyone has problems, some are just better at hiding them’ - Unknown

Famous Quote #3
‘If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves’ - Thomas Edison

Famous Quote #4
‘Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it’ - Dennis P. Kimbro

Famous Quote #5
‘Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy’ - Thich Nhat Hahn

Famous Quote #6
‘Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways’ - Stephen Vincent Ben't

Famous Quote #7
‘Only by going too far can one possibly find out how far one can go’ - Jon dyer

Famous Quote #8
‘People only see what they are prepared to see’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Famous Quote #9
‘Don't be afraid to fail because only through failure do you learn to succeed’

Famous Quote #10
‘It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives’

Famous Quote #11
‘Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself’ - Chanakya

Famous Quote #12
‘The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it’

Famous Quote #13
‘It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone; but it takes a lifetime to forget someone’

Famous Quote #14
‘Always put yourself in the other’s shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too’

Famous Quote #15
‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way’

Famous Quote #16
‘Many people will walk in and out or your life, But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart’

Famous Quote #17
‘To handle yourself, use your head, To handle others, use your heart’

Famous Quote #18
‘He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all’

Famous Quote #19
‘If someone betrays you once, it’s his fault. If he betrays you twice, it’s your fault’

Famous Quote #20
‘God Gives every bird it’s food, But he does not throw it into it’s nest’

Perseverance, Persistence, & Determination Story

Perseverance, Persistence, and Determination Story
(Never Give Up in life...)

In 1867, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told John Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

John Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington Roebling, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington Roebling was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

“We told them so. Crazy men and their crazy dreams. It's foolish to chase wild visions.”

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the John Roebling were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington Roebling was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

Washington Roebling tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife Emily.

Washington Roebling touched his wife’s arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington Roebling tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed in 1883. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances.

It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband Washington Roebling & told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

Moral: Even the most distant dream can be realized with persistence & determination. Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day & realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones. Remember this always in life.

[VIA Email: Syed Hassan Ali]

Largest Bankruptcies

5 Positive Leadership Strategies

These are uncertain times. Employees are questioning how their industry and job will be impacted by the current economy. They’re unsure about what action to take. Unfortunately this uncertainly creates what I call a VOID and my theory is that where there is a VOID negativity will fill it.

When there is a void of clear and positive communication people start to assume the worst and act accordingly. At the root, it's all about fear. When we are uncertain, fear and negativity creep in and dominate our thoughts, behavior and actions. This leads to a lack of trust, decreased productivity, poor focus, uninspired teamwork and sub-par performance. Instead of taking positive actions to thrive our teams go into survival mode and just try to survive.

That’s why I believe now, more than ever, is a time for positive leadership. Now is a time to stop obsessing about the recession, get back to basics, create a plan of action, and inspire, encourage and empower your teams. Why? Having worked with countless leaders over the years in businesses, schools and professional sports I’ve realized that great leadership is first and foremost a transfer of belief. So often the difference between success and failure is belief. Positive leaders share their belief, optimism, vision, purpose and plan with their organization and in the process they inspire and empower their teams to believe, act and execute. Positive beliefs lead to powerful plans and actions and this leads to significant results.

However, positive leadership requires more than inspirational speeches. It is a process and there are several steps you need to take to get your team on the bus and moving in the right direction.

1. Make Your Culture a Priority:
Negativity and fear are knocking your people off balance. It’s time to regroup, refocus, and unite them to create a winning culture and team environment. Remember, you win in the office first. Then you win in the marketplace. With a winning team you create strength on the inside that can withstand the negativity, naysayers and adversity on the outside.

I saw this happen first hand with Atlanta Falcons last season. In the face of the Michael Vick scandal, Coach Mike Smith took charge and built a winning team by making the team culture, attitude and synergy his priority. I was brought in to help with this process and we saw and immediate and powerful impact.

2. Share a Positive Vision:
It has to be clear, bold and simple so that that everyone in your organization can understand and rally around it. It also has to be relevant to the challenges you have faced and the direction you must go. As a leader you must share this vision every day with everyone in your organization and encourage your managers and employees to do the same. Invite everyone on the bus and energize them towards a common vision, goal and destination.

3. Develop a Fleet of Bus Drivers:
Once you share the vision and invite everyone on the same bus then it’s essential that each person in your organization understand how they can contribute to this vision. This empowers each person to drive their own bus and generates a fleet of bus drivers with your organization all moving in the same direction with a shared vision, focus and purpose.

4. Fill the VOID...Often:
Leaders, you must personally meet with your company and continually share your vision for the future and your fiscal status. Now is not a time to be in your office. Now you must be seen and heard and hear and see. Managers, communicate with your team. Let each person know where they stand. Talk about their fears. Listen to them. Explain your plan of action. Tell them how you plan to win in the marketplace. If you always fill the VOID with positive energy then negativity and fear can't breed and grow.

5. Turn Negative Energy into Positive Solutions:
Utilize your current challenges, problems and complaints as a way to generate new ideas, innovations and paths to success. Study history and you'll find that many successful companies, products and initiatives were born during recessions and downturns. Encourage each person in your organization to ask and answer the following questions:

1. What can we learn from these challenges?
2. How can we improve because of it?
3. What opportunities does it present?
4. What actions do we need to take now?

These are uncertain times and no one can predict what the future will look like but by filling the voids with positive leadership, positive communication and positive action there is one thing you can be certain of - a future where you are stronger, wiser and better than you are today.

Stay Positive!
Jon Gordon