Hiring managers ask questions about leadership skills to understand what guides you in your decisions, how you facilitate communication, and how you may fit into the organization long-term. Also, employers depend on strong leaders who can guide them to success--individuals who are passionate about their work, confident about who they are, and trust and respect their team and managers.

A strong team leader possesses several skills that allow them to effectively and positively interact with their team to achieve a shared goal. In some cases, these leadership skills come naturally, while others learn through experience and formal training. Many employers are looking for these skills in the candidates they hire for management positions, but leadership skills are valuable for any employee to have, no matter their role.

"I feel that a strong team leader should be motivating, competitive, and a natural mentor. I have had leaders with these qualities, and they make any team project run much more smoothly. When I lead a team, I do my best to emulate these qualities as well."