Tell me about a time you had to use your persuasive skills.

The most important quality of an effective leader is their ability to govern their emotions. Doing so keeps them centered, and more able to respond intelligently to any questions or challenges posed by their subordinates. In addition to having a high EQ (emotional intelligence), 8 of the most essential communication skills effective leaders possess are; an ability to adapt their communication style, active listening, transparency, clarity, ability to ask open-ended questions, empathy, open body language, and receiving and implementing feedback. Consider these points and how they apply to your example when you deliver your answer.

"I was working with a team leader that was spearheading a project. They had several suggestions for a fresh approach to going about executing a workplace policy to expedite some practices. They pitched it, and our management liked their suggestion and assigned the task of implementing these ideas into practice. I had several suggestions based on the analytics that I deemed necessary to help them succeed. But they drew the wrong conclusion about what I was suggesting without hearing me out. I approached them at an inopportune time when they were clearly stressed and carrying too many things at once. So I realized they had to give me an audience, and created a project proposal where I drafted these suggestions in a document, breaking down the pros and cons for my suggestions, thoroughly arguing what I thought were the benefits of these considerations. They shortly later approached me, apologized for not hearing me out, expressed they wish they had and showed great appreciation for my written communication and its presentation. When it comes to the welfare of the team, you can't give up."