Why is the interviewer testing leadership skills?
Questions about leadership qualities help interviewers get a better picture of how you work. They want to test your soft skills that reflect your leadership style. We created these examples of how to answer leadership questions to demonstrate your skills and show employers how well you handle these tough questions.
10 good Leadership interview questions
- Tell me about a time when you struggled with work-life balance. Did you manage to solve the problem? How do you achieve work-life balance?
- How do you monitor the performance of individual team members?
- What are some specific ways you motivate your team?
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a team project. What was the outcome of the project?
- How do you handle conflict within your team?
- Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a leader?
- How do you delegate tasks within your team?
- Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a significant change?
- How do you ensure your team meets its objectives?
1. Tell me about a time when you struggled with work-life balance. Did you manage to solve the problem? How do you achieve work-life balance?
This question assesses a candidate’s ability to manage their personal and professional lives effectively, which is crucial for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout.
Sample answer:
“I am a self-starter and love to tackle projects from scratch. However, I am also a perfectionist, which can disrupt my work-life balance. Therefore, I create a schedule for myself with enough time for the project and communicate this to manage expectations. I am very organized and can manage my time well, so I rarely take work home. However, if things change or issues arise, I am always prepared to do so.”
2. How do you monitor the performance of individual team members?
This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to track and improve the performance of their team members, which is essential for achieving team objectives.
Sample answer:
“One solution is to monitor their activities while they are working with software on the computer. If you know what tasks they are performing, you can easily set weekly, monthly, or yearly goals. If an employee has performance issues, I can find out what they did during that time and help them improve their work ethic.”
3. What are some specific ways you motivate your team?
This question explores a candidate’s ability to inspire and motivate their team members, which can boost productivity and morale.
Sample answer:
“As a manager, it’s my job to know my employees well. I need to find out what they are passionate about and enjoy doing. Once I establish these things, I can credit them for their work.”
4. How would you describe your leadership style?
This question provides insight into a candidate’s approach to leading others, which can affect team dynamics and productivity.
Sample answer:
“Leadership is about collaboration and inspiring others to do their best work. I aim to be direct and collaborate with my team members by delegating tasks, leading by example, and making sure they know I care.”
5. Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a team project. What was the outcome of the project?
This question assesses a candidate’s experience with leading projects and their ability to overcome challenges and achieve objectives.
Sample answer:
“My team just completed an annual conference presentation series that I led. I was responsible for assigning presentations to my team, setting deadlines, and editing their materials. We struggled with two missed deadlines, but we pulled together to get the job done. One of our clients said it was the best conference they had attended.”
6. How do you handle conflict within your team?
This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to manage disagreements and maintain a positive team environment.
Sample answer:
“I believe in addressing conflicts directly and constructively. I encourage open communication and facilitate discussions to understand different perspectives and find a resolution that everyone can agree on.”
7. Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a leader?
This question explores a candidate’s decision-making skills and their ability to handle challenging situations.
Sample answer:
“I once had to make a difficult decision to let a team member go due to consistent underperformance. It was a tough decision, but it was necessary for the overall productivity and morale of the team.”
8. How do you delegate tasks within your team?
This question assesses a candidate’s ability to distribute work effectively among team members, considering their strengths and workload.
Sample answer:
“I delegate tasks based on my team members’ strengths, interests, and current workload. I ensure that the tasks are clearly defined and that they have the resources and support they need to complete them.”
9. Can you share an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a significant change?
This question evaluates a candidate’s change management skills and their ability to guide their team through transitions.
Sample answer:
“When our company underwent a major restructuring, I led my team through the change by communicating openly about the reasons for the change and how it would affect them. I also provided support and resources to help them adapt to the new structure.”
10. How do you ensure your team meets its objectives?
This question explores a candidate’s ability to set, track, and achieve team objectives.
Sample answer:
“I ensure my team meets its objectives by setting clear and measurable goals, regularly tracking progress, providing feedback and support, and adjusting our strategies as needed.”
