Managerial Interview Questions on Leadership Skills

Leadership is the ability to inspire and guide others. These type of questions evaluate a candidate’s leadership potential and their ability to motivate others.

1. How do you get your employees (or others) to follow you?

A hiring manager may ask this question to assess your communication, active listening,, and problem-solving skills. When answering this question, select a specific example that shows your interest in actively listening to your team members, resolving conflict, and boosting productivity.

2. How do you use power or authority to get what you want done?

This question helps employers understand your thought process when receiving directions from superiors, setting objectives with team members, and developing plans. The suggested answer is: “I believe in using power judiciously, ensuring decisions align with the team’s goals. I value input from team members and see authority as a tool to facilitate rather than dictate.”

3. How do you delegate responsibility for an assignment?

During the interview, a hiring manager may ask this question to determine your ability to identify team members’ strengths and assign them tasks accordingly. In your response, show the interviewer how you recognize your team’s talents and assign tasks accordingly.

4. How do you describe your management style?

This question lets you describe your management approach and why you believe it’s successful. The Suggested Answer is: “I have a collaborative management style, valuing input from team members and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.”

5. How do you motivate your team?

Most behavioral questions and questions around motivation give recruiters insights into how you handle leadership and other interpersonal skills in a workplace environment. The Suggested Answer: “Motivation comes from recognizing achievements, providing growth opportunities, and fostering a positive work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration.”

6. What is your approach to handling conflicts within your team?

A hiring manager may ask this question to determine how you can address challenging moments while maintaining a positive work environment and promoting productivity. The Suggested Answer is: “I address conflicts promptly and diplomatically, encouraging open communication and finding solutions that benefit the team as a whole.”

7. How do you handle underperforming team members?

A hiring manager may ask this question to assess your communication, active listening, and problem-solving skills. The suggested answer is: “I take a coaching approach, providing constructive feedback and offering support to help underperforming individuals improve.”

8. What have you done in past roles to inspire/motivate your direct reports?

Motivation in the workplace can help lead to higher productivity levels. As a manager, it’s important to help your team members stay motivated. When answering this question, consider examples of how you motivate your team during challenging times.

9. Have you always considered yourself a leader?

This answer depends from person to person but a nice way to answer this question is “While I may not have always considered myself a leader, I recognize the importance of continuous growth and learning in leadership roles.”

10. How do you measure success?

Setting goals and evaluating success is an important managerial duty. This question allows the interviewer to see how you identify, set, and meet goals. The Suggested Answer is: “I measure success by the team’s achievements, the positive impact on individuals’ professional development, and the overall contribution to the organization’s goals.”

Managerial positions play a key role in organizations, overseeing teams, driving strategies, and ensuring operational excellence. Landing a managerial role often entails an interview process where candidates are evaluated not just on their technical skills but also on their leadership abilities, problem-solving sense, and cultural fit. To excel in these interviews, preparation is key.

Here, we provide Top Managerial Interview Questions tailored for Freshers and experienced at different stages of their careers such as software developers, java developers, etc. Here, we cover everything, including leadership and management principles, team dynamics, conflict resolution, strategic planning, decision-making, performance management, and more.