You’re in a job interview and they ask you to describe your leadership style. What’s the best way to answer?

1 Know your style

Before you go to the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it has evolved over your career. You can use frameworks such as the situational, transformational, or servant leadership models to identify your main characteristics and preferences. Alternatively, you can take online assessments such as the DISC or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to discover your personality traits and how they influence your leadership style. The more you know yourself, the easier it will be to articulate your style in a clear and concise way.

2 Use examples

The best way to demonstrate your leadership style is to use specific examples from your past or current roles. Think of situations where you led a team, project, or initiative and achieved positive results. How did you approach the task, what skills did you use, and what feedback did you receive? Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories and highlight your actions and outcomes. Avoid general statements or clichés that could apply to anyone, such as "I'm a team player" or "I lead by example".

3 Show flexibility

While it's important to have a consistent and authentic leadership style, it's also essential to show that you can adapt to different scenarios and people. No one style works for every situation or team, so you need to demonstrate that you can adjust your style according to the needs, goals, and preferences of your followers. For example, you can mention how you used different communication methods, motivational techniques, or decision-making processes depending on the context and the feedback you received. Showing flexibility will also help you avoid being pigeonholed into a certain style that may not fit the employer's expectations or culture.

4 Align with values

Another way to make your answer more relevant and impactful is to align your leadership style with the values and vision of the organization you're applying to. Research the company's mission, culture, and core values and see how they match your own. Then, explain how your style supports and enhances those values and how you can contribute to the company's success and growth. For example, if the company values innovation and creativity, you can emphasize how your style fosters a culture of experimentation and learning. If the company values collaboration and diversity, you can highlight how your style encourages inclusion and teamwork.

5 Ask questions

Finally, don’t forget that the interview is a two-way conversation and that you have the chance to ask questions and learn more about the company and role. Asking questions will demonstrate your interest and curiosity, as well as help you determine if the company is a good fit for your leadership style and goals. Examples of questions you can ask include: inquiring about the leadership culture and style of the company, the main challenges and opportunities the team or department is facing, how performance and development of team leaders is measured and rewarded, what are the expectations and responsibilities of the team leader role, and how team leaders are supported and empowered to grow their skills.