What’s Your Leadership Style? Interview Question and Sample Answers

A diverse group of professionals in an office space bathed in natural sunlight all standing around in a semi-circle in a casual fashion to represent answering what's your leadership style in an interview

When preparing for an interview, leadership interview questions like “What’s your leadership style?” often come up, even for non-managerial roles.

Employers ask this question to understand your approach to leadership and how you manage, motivate, and interact with others.

This question is not exclusive to leadership positions; it applies to anyone who may find themselves guiding team efforts or projects.

Keep reading for tips on crafting a thoughtful and effective answer, showcasing your leadership ability to make a positive impression.

Why do employers ask “What’s your leadership style?”

Employers use this type of leadership interview question to gauge your leadership skills and understand how you handle different team dynamics.

Your answer reveals your management philosophy, how you address conflict resolution, and your adaptability in leading a team.

Knowing your style of leadership can also showcase your emotional intelligence and ability to create a positive work environment, which are essential traits for an effective leader.

Moreover, your response can indicate how you might fit into the company culture and collaborate with your current team or help shape the entire leadership team.

Employers are looking for candidates who can lead projects, navigate challenges, and inspire continuous improvement, even when they are not directly in a managerial role.

How to answer “What’s your leadership style?”

Answer “What’s your leadership style?” by being honest and authentic, using specific examples, and connecting to the job role.

Step 1: Be honest and authentic

It’s important to be genuine when describing your style of leadership. Avoid giving an all-inclusive leadership style claim that sounds generic.

Instead, focus on your authentic experiences and what makes you a unique and engaged leadership candidate.

Step 2: Use specific examples

Back up your answer with specific examples of how you’ve applied your leadership skills.

Whether it’s guiding a high-stakes project or fostering a culture of leaders, real-world scenarios make your answer more credible and relatable.

Step 3: Connect to the job role

Explain why your leadership style is suitable for the position you are applying for.

Show how your management philosophy aligns with the company’s needs and future leadership opportunities.

Highlighting this connection can make you stand out as an impressive answer for hiring managers.

Examples of different leadership styles

There are various common leadership styles people adopt including transformational leadership, servant leadership, and democratic leadership.

Transformational leadership

Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams to exceed expectations and achieve ambitious goals.

They focus on personal development and creating a vision that encourages team efforts. This leadership style is often seen in innovative leadership roles where driving change is a priority.

Servant leadership

Servant leaders prioritize the needs, growth, and well-being of their team members.

This empathetic leadership approach fosters a supportive and positive work environment where individuals feel valued.

By focusing on the development of others, servant leaders help build trust and loyalty within their teams.

Democratic leadership

A democratic leadership style involves encouraging input and collaboration from the team.

Leaders who adopt this style value the opinions of their team members and use them to make informed decisions.

This approach to leadership promotes teamwork and ensures that everyone feels involved and respected.

Autocratic leadership

An autocratic leadership style is characterized by a directive and decisive approach. Leaders make decisions independently and expect their instructions to be followed.

While often seen as a direct leadership approach, it can be effective in situations where quick, firm decisions are needed, such as during a high-stakes project.

Laissez-faire leadership

Leaders who use a laissez-faire leadership style provide autonomy and trust their team members to make decisions.

This style of leadership allows individuals to work independently, fostering innovation and creativity. However, it requires team members to have strong technical skills and self-motivation to ensure success.

How to identify your leadership style

How to identify your leadership style through self-reflection, finding past examples, and considering feedback.

Self-reflection

To determine your favorite leadership principle, start by reflecting on your natural tendencies and past experiences.

Consider how you interact with others during team meetings, handle challenging projects, and address conflict resolution.

This self-awareness is a critical component of leadership interviews and can help you articulate your approach to leadership.

Find past examples

Think back to situations where you led a project or team, whether at work, during school, or in volunteer activities.

How did you manage to keep the project on time, and how did you motivate your team? These impressive leadership experiences can give you insights into your leadership type.

Consider feedback

Feedback from colleagues, mentors, or past supervisors can be valuable in understanding your leadership style.

Reflecting on how others perceive your leadership traits can help you refine your approach and prepare for leadership interview questions.

Sample answers for “What’s your leadership style?”

Transformational leadership sample answer

“In my previous role, I led a team tasked with a challenging project that required innovative solutions. I inspired my team to think creatively, and we managed to complete the project on time while exceeding our performance goals. My transformational leadership approach helped foster a culture of motivation and growth.”

Servant leadership sample answer

“As a servant leader, I believe in prioritizing the needs of my team. For example, during a project at my previous employer, I focused on providing the resources and support each team member needed for personal and professional development, which led to a stronger, more engaged team.”

Democratic leadership sample answer

“I adopt a democratic leadership style by encouraging open communication and collaboration. During a project, I always seek input from my individual team members, ensuring we cover all perspectives before making a decision. This approach fosters teamwork and creates a positive work environment.”

Autocratic leadership sample answer

“When time is of the essence, I can be decisive and directive. During a recent high-stakes project, I had to make quick decisions to ensure we met the project timeline. My autocratic leadership style allowed us to stay on track and deliver quality results efficiently.”

Laissez-faire leadership sample answer

“In my current role, I trust my team to handle their responsibilities independently. This laissez-faire approach allows them to take ownership of their tasks and encourages innovation. I believe this style works well when the team has strong technical skills and is self-motivated.”

Tips to keep in mind when answering “What’s your leadership style?”

Adaptability

Demonstrating that you can adapt your leadership style to different scenarios shows that you are versatile and can handle various team dynamics. Employers value this key leadership trait because it indicates flexibility.

Avoid generic answers

Common leadership interview questions like this one require more than a surface-level response. Avoid vague answers and common leadership mistakes that can make you seem less credible. Be specific and thoughtful.

Practice makes perfect

Rehearse your answer before the interview. Practicing ensures you can deliver a comprehensive answer that sounds natural and confident, helping you stand out as an engaged leadership candidate.

Answering “What’s your leadership style?” in an interview

Preparing a well-thought-out answer to this ideal leadership interview question is essential for making a strong impression.

Understanding your types of leadership and being able to articulate it confidently can set you apart as an effective leader.

Take the time to reflect on your experiences, consider how they relate to the job and practice delivering your response.

Ready to learn more about leadership styles? Explore industry trends and discover which styles resonate with your career goals.

Looking for your next gig? Let us help. 

Every year, Mondo helps over 2,000 candidates find jobs they love.

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