Tell us about your leadership style

This question is meant to assess your self-awareness, your understanding of how you lead others, and whether you have reflected on what kind of leader you are becoming. The panel wants to know how you’ve led teams in the past, what has worked for you, and how you adapt your approach in different situations.

</aside>

When asked about your leadership style, think beyond titles or positions. Leadership is about influence, initiative, and accountability. You should be able to describe your style in terms of how you bring people together, motivate them, and drive outcomes.

</aside>

Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Describe a situation where you led a team, what your role was, what you did that reflected your leadership style, and what the outcome was.

</aside>

In short, your answer should demonstrate self-awareness, clarity, and impact — showing not just what your leadership style is, but how you’ve lived it.

</aside>

Step 1: Define Your Leadership Style

Pick one or two leadership styles that best describe you. Avoid jargon — focus on what genuinely reflects how you lead. Common styles include:

Leading by example: Setting high standards through your own actions.
Taking initiative: Voluntarily stepping up to solve problems or drive change.
Collaborative leadership: Creating an inclusive environment where ideas are valued.
Coaching leadership: Guiding and developing others to perform at their best.
Strategic leadership: Keeping the big picture in mind while aligning team goals.
Communicative leadership: Ensuring transparency and clarity within the team.
Result-oriented leadership: Focusing on outcomes while balancing people and process.
Adaptable leadership: Adjusting your approach based on the context and people involved. </aside>

Use this template to frame your answer:

My leadership style(s)
Why this style reflects me

Step 2: Back It Up With a Story (Use STAR Format)

Demonstrate your leadership in action through a real example.

</aside>

| Skill | **SITUATION *(*Describe the context of the challenge or situation) | **TASK *(*Explain the task or responsibility you were handling) | **ACTION *(*Detail the specific actions you took to address the task) | **RESULTS *(*Share the outcome of your actions and what you learned) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Leadership | | | | |

Step 3: Reflect on what you learned

Good leaders are reflective. Show how the experience shaped or refined your approach.

</aside>

Step 1: Define Your Leadership Style

Use this template to frame your answer:

Step 2: Back It Up With a Story (Use STAR Format)

Step 3: Reflect on what you learned

What I learned about my leadership style: