There is no real right or wrong answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to hear an insightful answer. Being a leader can mean many things. As a leader you may feel that the most critical task is to guide, coach, mentor, teach, encourage, or train. Whatever your answer, be sure to provide an example of a time when you stepped up as a leader, putting your answer into action.
"At the beginning of my career I had a leader who spent a lot of time investing in my knowledge. He would give me books to read, podcast suggestions, and online audio courses. This investment in my knowledge was the most important thing he could have done for me. Now, I return the favor to all those that I lead. Investing in my team in this way is, in my opinion, the most important thing a leader could do."
"To me, the most important task I can take on as a leader is showing kindness to my team members. When an employee feels cared for, they will always perform better."
"The most important thing I can do for my team, as a leader, is to help them figure out their ideal career path and help them to grow. I like to invest in my team members by way of personality assessments and more, to help them in self-discovery."
"The greatest task I can take on as a leader in marketing is to share with others any new knowledge or resources that I acquire along the way. Knowledge-sharing is critical, especially in such a fast-moving and ever-changing industry."
"Retail is a fast-moving industry with a lot of staff turnover. What I find to be the most important task of a leader is to be an encourager. Often, my team members are young students or new graduates. I like to help them see the best of what they offer!"
"In sales, it is easy to become demotivated or discouraged, especially when you are unsure of your targets and goals. The best thing I can do as a leader is to give clear guidance to my team members. I create excellent roadmaps for each person and check in with them regularly to ensure they are on track and motivated."
"As a teacher, I am a leader in a variety of ways throughout the day. I have found that the most important task as a leader and a teacher is to be an observant and active listener. Many students will show you what they need if you observe and listen attentively."