Leadership Interview Questions & Sample Answers
Are you interviewing for a leadership position? If so, congratulations! Landing an interview for a leadership role is proof that your experience and qualifications have impressed the hiring manager.
But while you may have significant experience in a leadership role, answering leadership interview questions convincingly is still critical to getting the job. With that in mind, here are five essential leadership questions you're likely to be asked—along with guidance on how to answer them.
5 Essential Leadership Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)
1. What makes you a good leader?
When answering this question, highlight one or two attributes that you feel make you an effective leader. Then, give specific examples of times when you've displayed those qualities.
For instance, maybe you're patient and good at handling difficult situations. You might say something like:
"I'm able to stay calm under pressure and think clearly to find the best solution. For example, last year when our team was facing a tight deadline, I was able to keep everyone focused and on track so we could meet the deadline without sacrificing quality."
2. What style of leadership do you prefer?
This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your default leadership style—in other words, how you usually lead when you're not actively trying to adopt a different style.
Do some soul-searching beforehand to determine what your default style is, then provide a brief description along with an example of a situation when it was particularly effective.
For example, if you have a servant leadership style, you might say something like this:
"I prefer to lead by serving others and helping them reach their full potential. I find that this style helps build trust and buy-in from individual team members. For example, when I was leading a large team project last year, I made sure to check in with everyone regularly and see if they needed any help or resources."
3. What do you think are the three most important qualities of a good leader?
The key to this question is not to list generic leadership qualities like "good communication skills" or "being able to provide clear direction." Instead, try to choose attributes that are specific to you and that will give the interviewer insight into your particular style of leadership.
For example:
"I believe that the three most important qualities for a good leader are empathy, openness, and decisiveness. I think it's important to be able to understand where other people are coming from and see things from their perspective. At the same time, it's also important to be open to new ideas and willing to change course if necessary. And finally, when it comes time to make a decision, being decisive is crucial—even if it means making tough decisions."
4. What do you think are the three most important qualities for a successful team?
Similar to the previous question, try to avoid giving generic answers here. Instead, focus on qualities that will give the interviewer more insight into how you tend to work with teams.
For example: "In my experience, there are three key ingredients for a successful team: trust, transparency, and collaboration. I think it's important for team members to be able to trust each other and know that they can rely on each other. At the same time, being transparent about expectations, deadlines, etc., is crucial so that everyone is on the same page. And finally, collaboration is key - I think it's important for team members to feel like they can openly share their ideas without fear of judgment."
5. What do you think makes you successful in working with teams?
This question allows you to share what strengths or skills you bring to the table when working with teams—so don't be afraid to display some confidence in your answer!
For example:
"I'm successful in working with teams because I'm very adaptable and I have a knack for quickly building relationships with people. I'm also very strategic in my thinking and I have a lot of experience leading teams through complex projects."
Take the time before your interview to reflect on your successes as a leader so far in your career - you'll want to be able to draw on those experiences as examples when answering questions like this one!
When interviewing for a leadership role, expect questions about both your general leadership style as well as your specific experiences leading teams successfully.
Answering these questions effectively will not only demonstrate your competence as a leader but also help the interviewer get a better sense of what it would be like to work with you if they were to extend an offer!
FAQ
What questions are asked in a leadership interview?
A leadership interview typically focuses on questions that explore a candidate's ability to lead teams and drive results effectively.
Typical questions in a leadership interview will probe a candidate's experience with strategic planning, budgeting, decision-making, problem-solving, team building, and communication.
Interviewers often ask what the applicant believes are their strongest leadership skills and how they intend to use them in the role.
The interviewer also asks questions to gauge a candidate's knowledge of workplace trends, their understanding of their role and its impact on the business or organization, and what qualities they think make a good leader.
Answering these questions with convincing examples demonstrating your leadership skills is vital to succeeding in a leadership interview.
How do you prepare for a leadership interview?
Preparing to respond to team leader interview questions is essential to ensure you make the best impression. Try to develop an understanding of yourself and your leadership style, and an awareness of the team leader role you are being interviewed for.
Researching the company and team will also be beneficial - it will help you understand their expectations and how your leadership style may best fit the team.
Reflecting on your experiences as a team member and leader is also crucial when preparing for an interview. Consider examples of scenarios where you have demonstrated successful leadership skills, such as times when you have resolved conflicts within a team or achieved success and positive outcomes for an organization by leading a project from start to finish.
Leadership Styles and Roles
Interview Question: Can you describe a time when you had to adjust your leadership style to suit a particular team or situation?
Sample Answer: In my previous role as a project manager, I led a diverse team working on an important marketing campaign. I quickly realized that the team was made up of individuals with different skill sets and work styles. This required me to adapt my leadership style from a more direct approach to a more collaborative one. Instead of providing specific instructions for each task, I encouraged open communication and active listening, fostering an environment where everyone could voice their ideas and concerns. This approach allowed us to complete the project successfully and ahead of schedule.
Answer Strategy: This answer demonstrates flexibility in leadership style and the ability to adapt to different situations - key traits of good leadership.
Conflict Resolution
Interview Question: How do you handle conflict within a team?
Sample Answer: Conflict resolution is a crucial part of a leader's role. During a project at my previous position, two team members disagreed with the direction of a task. I used constructive criticism and feedback to facilitate a dialog between them. By promoting open communication and using active listening, I helped them see each other's perspectives and find common ground, which led to a stronger solution.
Answer Strategy: This answer shows the ability to handle conflict, manage conflicts, and use conflict resolution techniques effectively. It also demonstrates the use of constructive feedback, open communication, and active listening - key aspects of conflict management and overall good leadership. Other techniques for resolving conflict might include mediation, compromise, and collaboration. It is important to assess a candidate's conflict resolution skills and any examples of successful conflict management they can provide. This will help determine their potential as a leader in a team environment. Additionally, asking about specific situations where the candidate has had to handle conflicts within a team can also provide insight into their problem-solving abilities and how they achieve team goals.
Communication and Feedback
Interview Question: Can you provide an example of a situation where your communication and feedback significantly impacted a project's outcome?
Sample Answer: In my role as a project manager in my previous company, we were handling a particularly complex project that had tight deadlines. I noticed that one of our key team members was struggling with his workload but was hesitant to voice his concerns. Recognizing this, I initiated a conversation with him, using open communication and active listening to understand his challenges. I gave him constructive feedback on his work and suggested better ways of managing the workload. As a result, he was able to improve his efficiency, and we completed the project successfully within the deadline.
Answer Strategy: This response illustrates the candidate's strong verbal communication skills, the ability to provide timely and constructive feedback, and their understanding of the importance of body language in communication. By initiating open communication, the candidate demonstrates their leadership, responsibility, and problem-solving skills. It is vital to assess a candidate's ability to give constructive criticism and their awareness of the importance of open communication and active listening in a leadership role. This question can also shed light on the candidate's ability to handle stress, react to unexpected situations, and their approach to problem-solving.
Company Values & Culture
Interview Question: Can you describe a time when you had to embody your company's values and culture in a leadership role?
Sample Answer: Yes, indeed. I was once faced with a situation where a major client was unsatisfied with the quality of our product and threatened to end our contract. Our company values, however, emphasized customer satisfaction and transparency. As the team leader, I organized a meeting with the client, openly acknowledged the quality issues, and assured them that we were committed to their satisfaction. We presented a detailed plan for how we would address the issues and improve the product quality. This not only saved the contract but also strengthened the relationship with the client.
Answer Strategy: This answer demonstrates the candidate's ability to uphold the company's values and culture in a challenging situation. The emphasis on customer satisfaction and transparency shows that the candidate understands the importance of these values in maintaining client relationships. Asking about a candidate's experience in embodying the company's culture and values can provide insights into their leadership qualities and their fit within the organization.
Teams
Interview Question: Can you give an example of a situation where you had to delegate tasks during team meetings to achieve team goals?
Sample Answer: Certainly. During a pivotal project in my previous role, we faced a tight deadline that required everyone to contribute effectively. I called a team meeting and broke the project down into manageable tasks. I then delegated these tasks based on each team member's strengths and expertise. This strategy not only ensured that everyone was clear about their responsibilities but also that the team was working cohesively towards the same goal. We completed the project ahead of the deadline, which significantly boosted team morale.
Answer Strategy: This response shows the candidate's ability to effectively manage team meetings, delegate tasks, and align a team towards mutual goals. The ability to delegate tasks shows trust in the team's ability, while the use of team meetings for this purpose fosters transparency and clarity. A successful result underlines the effectiveness of this leadership approach. The question is designed to assess these qualities and their potential role in achieving the company's goals.
Projects and Campaigns
Interview Question: Can you share an experience from your previous position where you had to balance work life and personal life to achieve objectives for a significant marketing campaign and how did you monitor progress?
Sample Answer: In my former role, I was in charge of a significant marketing campaign that coincided with a personal issue. To maintain a work-life balance and achieve my professional objectives, I started by developing a detailed plan and a timeline. I assigned tasks to my team, ensuring they were clear about their roles and the campaign's goals. I made sure to keep open lines of communication for any questions or concerns. To monitor progress, I established weekly check-ins to review each team member's contributions and discuss any necessary adjustments. Despite the personal challenges, the campaign was successful and we exceeded our targets.
Answer Strategy: The candidate's response illustrates their ability to balance personal and professional commitments, lead a team, and monitor a project's progress. The candidate demonstrates their leadership skills by outlining the steps taken to plan, implement, and track a significant project. The question aims to evaluate how well the candidate can maintain a healthy work-life balance while ensuring project success.
Interview Strategy
Interview Question: Can you describe a situation where you had to implement the STAR method in dealing with a complex situation in upper management and what strategies did you use during the process?
Sample Answer: During my time as a Senior Project Manager, we faced a significant challenge when a key project was falling behind schedule. This situation required immediate attention and resolution, and I decided to use the STAR method.
The Situation was that our project deliverable timeline was at risk due to unforeseen issues.
The Task was to get the project back on track without compromising quality.
The Action involved a series of strategic steps. Firstly, I arranged an urgent meeting with all stakeholders to address the situation and possible solutions. Secondly, I redefined roles and responsibilities and assigned new tasks based on expertise and availability. Thirdly, I implemented a more stringent monitoring process to manage the progress.
The Result was that we not only caught up with the timeline but also improved our internal processes to prevent such situations in the future.
In terms of strategy, I ensured clear communication, and active listening, and demonstrated my problem-solving skills throughout the process.
Answer Strategy: The candidate's response illustrates their problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and ability to communicate effectively with upper management. The candidate demonstrates their ability to use the STAR method in challenging situations, implementing strategic measures to ensure project success. The question aims to evaluate how well the candidate can use different interview strategies to highlight their leadership skills.
