Yale University – School of Management
Full-time MBA program – LOR Prompts
Two letters of recommendations are required.
- Please comment briefly on the context of your interaction with the applicant. If applicable, describe the applicant’s role in your organization.
- How does the candidate’s performance compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples.
- Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.
- Are you in a position to know whether the applicant is sponsored for the MBA by his or her current employer? If so, please comment.
- Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Please rate the candidate on the following qualities:
| Skill/Quality | No Basis | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results Orientation | Fulfills assigned tasks | Overcomes obstacles to achieve goals | Exceeds goals and raises effectiveness of organization | Introduces incremental improvements to enhance business performance using robust analysis | Invents and delivers best in class standards and performance | |
| Strategic Orientation | Understands immediate issues of work or analysis | Identifies opportunities for improvement within area of responsibility | Develops insights or recommendations that have improved business performance | Develops insights or recommendations that have shaped team or department strategy | Implements a successful strategy that challenges other parts of the company or other players in the industry | |
| Team Leadership | Avoids leadership responsibilities; does not provide direction to team | Assigns tasks to team member | Solicits ideas and perspectives from the team; holds members accountable | Actively engages the team to develop plans and resolve issues through collaboration; shows how work fits in with what others are doing | Recruits others into duties or roles based on insight into individual abilities; rewards those who exceed expectations | |
| Influence and Collaboration | Accepts input from others | Engages others in problem solving | Generates support from others for ideas and initiatives | Brings others together across boundaries to achieve results and share best practices | Builds enduring partnerships within and outside of organization to improve effectiveness, even at short‐term personal cost | |
| Communicating | Sometimes rambles or is occasionally unfocused | Is generally to the point and organized | Presents views clearly and in a wellstructured manner | Presents views clearly and demonstrates understanding of the response of others | Presents views clearly; solicits opinions and concerns; discusses them openly | |
| Information Seeking | Asks direct questions about problem at hand to those individuals immediately available | Personally investigates problems by going directly to sources of information | Asks a series ofprobing questions to get at the root of a situation or a problem | Does research by making a systematic effort over a limited period of time to obtain needed data or feedback | Involves others who would not normally be involved including experts or outside organizations; may get them to seek out information | |
| Developing Others | Focuses primarily on own abilities | Points out mistakes to support the development of others | Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback to support the development of others | Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback and provides unfailing support | Inspires and motivates others to develop by providing feedback and identifying new growth opportunities as well as supporting their efforts to change | |
| Change Leadership | Accepts status quo; does not see the need for change | Challenges status quo and identifies what needs to change | Defines positive direction for change and persuades others to support it | Promotes change and mobilizes individuals to change behavior | Builds coalition of supporters and coordinates change across multiple individuals; may create champions who will mobilize others to change | |
| Respect for Others | Is sometimes selfabsorbed or overly self‐interested | Generally treats others with respect; usually shares praise and credit | Is humble and respectful to all | Is respectful to all and generous with praise; ensures other opinions are heard | Uses understanding of others and self to resolve conflicts and foster mutual respect | |
| Trustworthiness | Shows occasional lapses in trustworthy behavior | Generally acts consistently with stated intentions | Acts consistently with stated intentions even in difficult circumstances | Is reliable and authentic even at some personal cost; acts as a role model for the values of the organization | Is reliable and authentic even at some personal cost; works to ensure all members of the organization operate with integrity |
[prompt type=”right” title=”Are you ready for Yale SOM?” message=”Send us your CV and provide us some information about your background and plans, and we’ll provide a free evaluation of your profile.” button_text=”Request Free Evaluation” button_icon=”certificate” circle=”true” href=”http://mbaappguru.com/request-a-free-profile-evaluation/?ref=YaleSOM” style=”border: none; shadow: none;”]