As a job seeker, you may be asked the popular question about the qualities of a good leader during an interview. It goes something like this: What qualities do you think make a good leader?
This type of question is often used to assess your values and how they align with those of the organization.
It can also help recruiters gain insight into your leadership style, which could be important depending on the position you are applying for.
Being able to answer this type of question confidently and effectively is essential for success in any interview.
Let’s break down what recruiters look for when it comes to the qualities of a good leader and provide some examples that can help give your answer some depth.
The Qualities of a Good Leader: What You Need to Know to Answer this Interview Question Effectively
What Recruiters Look For In Your Answer
- Recruiters want to hear about specific qualities or traits that make YOU stand out from other applicants and show why YOU would be an asset to the team.
- Your response should not only list these qualities but also give real-life examples of how YOU have demonstrated them in past positions or experiences.
Here are some examples of desirable traits and how they can help leaders succeed:
Communication
- Leaders need to be able to communicate clearly (both verbally and written) with their team members to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
- Strong communication skills also foster trust among team members, which is crucial for any successful organization.
Empathy
- Being empathetic helps leaders understand different perspectives and build relationships with both their peers and subordinates.
- Leaders who take time to listen, understand and support their team members will create a positive workplace atmosphere that encourages collaboration, innovation, and productivity.
Leadership
- Leaders must lead by example. They should be organized, proactive, decisive, and creative thinkers who can motivate their teams toward success while managing risks along the way.
- These traits demonstrate that a leader has what it takes to make sound decisions even under pressure, while still inspiring those around them to do their best work.
Inspiring others
- The most successful leaders are those who can inspire others to achieve their best.
- A good leader will have the ability to motivate and encourage their team and instill a sense of confidence in them.
- Employees who feel inspired by their leader are more likely to be engaged and productive and more likely to stay with the company in the long term.
Decision-making
- A good leader will have the courage to make tough decisions, even when they are unpopular.
- A leader who is afraid to make tough decisions will quickly lose the respect of their team.
- Employees want a decisive leader who is not afraid to take risks.
Effective delegation
- A good leader will know how to delegate tasks effectively.
- They will understand that not every employee is equally skilled at every task, and will assign tasks accordingly.
- A leader who delegates effectively will free up their own time so that they can focus on more priority tasks, and will also build trust among their team as they feel empowered to complete delegated tasks successfully.
Good at giving feedback
- A good leader will know how to give feedback in a way that is constructive and helpful.
- They will avoid giving vague or nonspecific criticism and focus on specific feedback that employees can use to improve their performance.
- A leader who gives effective feedback will help employees feel like they are constantly growing and developing, and will foster a culture of openness and transparency.
Example Answers
When answering this type of question in an interview, try not to solely rely on generic phrases like:
“good communication” or “strong leadership”
as these don’t give much insight into your values or capabilities as a potential leader within an organization.
Instead, focus on providing concrete examples from past experiences with clear results when possible:
“In my previous role I was able to increase sales by 20% due to my strong leadership skills such as decision making under pressure and motivating others…”
Doing so will show recruiters that you have the necessary qualifications for the role being applied for as well as demonstrate your ability to think critically about complex situations—two essential components of any successful leader.
Key Takeaways
When preparing for an interview, remember that strategic questions about leadership qualities are designed not only to assess your values but also to gain insight into how you might lead if hired.
By understanding what recruiters look for in your answer to a question such as “what makes a good leader?” or "What are the qualities of a good leader?" - specific examples of qualities backed up by real-life experiences - you will be better prepared when faced with this type of question in interviews moving forward!
Good luck!
Also Read: Top 5 Leadership Questions
