Tough Interview Questions
Master 30 tough interview questions covering pressure scenarios, ethical dilemmas, and high-stakes decision-making.
Question 26 of 30
Would you rather lead or follow?
What You Need to Know
Example Answer
Admin
Manager
Marketing
Retail
Sales
Teacher
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. The interviewer would like to know if you identify more as a leader, or a follower, so they can further understand where to place you when the time comes. Give an honest answer but try to avoid pigeonholing yourself into one particular stereotype.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I can quite easily swap between leading and following, depending on the situation. Naturally, I am inclined to lead, but when I am expected to sit back and absorb, I am completely able to do that as well."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I would rather lead in some instances, and follow in others. While I am training and gathering my bearings, I will be more of a listener and follower. Once I know the ropes, I can comfortably take the lead whenever required of me."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"As a manager, I am most certainly more of a leader. With that said, I love to learn and absorb new things with requires me to be a follower at times too."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am more of a follower at times, meaning I like to listen, learn, and absorb. When needed, I am happy to jump into a leadership role as well."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Being in retail, and as a student, I am usually following as opposed to leading. That's not to say that I cannot be a fantastic leader as well. I group project at school, I often take the lead, and I enjoy that."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am a leader by nature. I am competitive and like to hit my goals and coach others to do the same. With that said, I will be a happy and attentive follower when required."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Teachers always take the lead, it seems - and I am happy to do so! I believe that I offer a solid balance between leading and following, swapping between the two when it's appropriate."
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Anonymous Answer
I am a leader by nature, and I believe that's because I am so competitive. Before you can be a good leader, you must learn to follow. While I have a lot of ambition to be promoted into a leadership role, I'd like to learn the ropes here first so that I can begin with a solid basis.
Rachelle's Feedback
The fact that you are interested in learning before you lead, shows a lot of maturity. This is a perfect response.
Anonymous Answer
I see myself as a bit of both. I lead and guide teams to success through leadership development, coaching, mentoring, and performance management, and all of this is combined to follow the Lead of Head of the Organization.
Rachelle's Feedback
The answer shows a balance between being a leader and a follower. A great leader knows when it's time to fall back a step, and then step back in when needed.
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