Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?
Perhaps you have led a club at work, been a coach for a youth sports team, or were on the advisory board for a non-profit organization. You should always be prepared to show the interviewer that you have a natural ability to lead others. Whether you have led a group of 500 or a team of 2, you must display to the interviewer that you are capable of handling the responsibility that comes with being a leader and mentor.
Talk about your desire to be a leader. Share with the interviewer that you strive to be a role model for others. Explain that you jump at the opportunity to lead groups, encourage your counterparts, and be the face of the organization when challenges arise.
Answer Example
"In my current position, I am the President of the Social Committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example, no matter my position. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."
Admin
"Although I have never officially led in the workplace, I do take on a volunteer coordinator role on the weekends with the local animal shelter. I have many qualities that will make me a good leader. I am a keen listener, and I understand how to look at the big picture without losing momentum while performing small tasks."
Manager
"I do see myself as a leader. I currently oversee 50 employees in my company's 2nd shift production line. I host team meetings, disseminate information, monitor performance, approve scheduling and timesheets, and more. I enjoy being responsible for the activities of others while also encouraging them to take accountability for their performance."
Marketing
"I would certainly consider myself a leader, though I'm not currently in a management role. In my previous career, I managed a small sales team. Now, in marketing, I collaborate with and encourage my team without being in an official management position. In my next leadership role, I will lead my team by showing respect, setting high but reasonable expectations, and fostering a collaborative environment where all ideas are encouraged. The beauty of being a true leader is that I don't need to be in an official position of management to exude leadership qualities."
Retail
"I have always been a confident leader, and I thoroughly enjoy being a team leader. I have been the Assistant Manager with my company for two years now and love to lead by example and train new employees. I lead a team of eight and usually train a new employee once per month."
Sales
"I see myself as a leader. Not only have I managed a junior sales team in two prior roles, but I also believe that leadership does not always equate to management. I am sure to lead at all times by providing the best model of enthusiasm and work ethic. I am open to new ideas and love to tackle a new project which, to me, embodies leadership."
Teacher
"I do see myself as a leader. I lead in the classroom, I help coach extra-curricular athletics, and I encourage my fellow educators. Leadership, to me, is a mindset versus an official title."
Quality Control Inspector
"In my current position, I am the president of the social committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentor-ship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."
Law Enforcement
"In my current department, I am the president of the community volunteer committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentor-ship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities."
Electrical Technician
"In my current position, I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."
ANONYMOUS ANSWER
"Leadership is about influence, and I have the ability to influence people, so I see myself as a leader. I have led my team on several occasions, the latest being to implement the SQCDP process, which helped to improve safety and delivery performance up from 60% to 95%."
OUR COACHES ANSWER
Great response! This answer can affirm your confidence as a leader.
"I certainly consider myself a leader; I lead by example and positively influence those around me. I have led teams many times throughout my career. A notable accomplishment was leading a team to success by improving safety and delivery from 60% to 95%."
ANONYMOUS ANSWER
"I do see myself as a leader. I have led a team of 25-35 people per day and motivated them daily during the morning briefing. I have done the leadership program at my previous company, where I worked together in the management team."
OUR COACHES ANSWER
Excellent! These are very good examples of how you lead a team.
ANONYMOUS ANSWER
"I have always considered myself a leader. Coaching and teaching is a true passion of mine. Over the past ten years, I have dedicated my life to becoming the best leader I can be. Most recently, I have worked with some small groups with individuals that possess different strengths and weaknesses. I have been able to communicate a clear vision to a diverse group of individuals, and through encouragement and guidance, I was able to get them all on the same page."
OUR COACHES ANSWER
You are off to a good start; however, I see many generalizations. When you are asked questions like, 'When have you...' the interviewer is looking for a specific story example. The best way to approach this is to deploy the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). If you want to study STAR further, I have a guide here: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/Master Behavioral-Based Interviews Using The Star Method/
I have also provided an example, below of additional details that you could add in.
"I have always considered myself a leader. Coaching and teaching (any specific group?) is a true passion of mine. Over the past ten years, I have dedicated my life to becoming the best leader I can be by... (explain your actions and set the stage). Most recently, I have worked with some small groups (where? offer some context) whose individuals possess different strengths and weaknesses (in what context?). I have been able to communicate a clear vision to a diverse group of individuals (for what purpose? To solve what pain point?), and through encouragement and guidance (specifically by doing?), I was able to get them all on the same page (what was the issue that you solved? Do you have a tangible outcome to share?)."
ANONYMOUS ANSWER
"I see myself as a leader. I lead several groups of students, totaling 37 in number. I lead in the classroom, I mentor my students in all aspects of sonography and the healthcare environment, and I motivate them to excel in ultrasound and in life."
OUR COACHES ANSWER
Exceptional response! Your confidence in what you do, and how you lead others is a stand-out quality :)