When hiring for a leadership position, organizations are looking for a rich mix of qualities. They want a candidate who has a diverse set of abilities, such as the ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, deliver results, innovate, and collaborate with other cross-functional teams, among many others. 

This course aims to provide you with a systematic approach to preparing for and acing leadership interviews. You'll delve into the essentials of leadership interviews, gaining a clear grasp of their significance. You'll explore effective interview preparation techniques, such as constructing compelling responses and mastering best practices to avoid potential pitfalls. You’ll finish off by learning what to avoid in a leadership interview.

Armed with the preparation strategies taught in this course, you’ll be able to systematically prepare for leadership interviews. Your enhanced capabilities will empower you to confidently pursue leadership positions, marking an advancement in your career.

Mastering Leadership Interviews

What does the STAR method stand for?

It demonstrates your ability to work independently and take ownership of your work

Why is it important to focus on individual contributions when answering behavioral questions?

Why is it important to focus on individual contributions when answering behavioral questions?

Provide specific examples from your past experiences

Highlight your actions and the outcomes achieved

**(Select all that apply.)** What should you do when using the STAR method to answer an interview question?

(Select all that apply.) What should you do when using the STAR method to answer an interview question?

I usually try to avoid conflicts within my team, so I haven't really faced such a situation.

Once, two team members had a disagreement about how to approach a project. I listened to both of their perspectives, identified the root cause of the conflict, and facilitated a discussion that allowed them to come to a mutual agreement. We then moved forward with the project successfully.

I am a natural leader, so conflicts don't arise within my team. My team members respect me, and they know I won't tolerate any conflict.

What is the best answer to the following interview question?

"Can you give an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict within your team? How did you handle it?"

What is the best answer to the following interview question?
“Can you give an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict within your team? How did you handle it?”

One time, I noticed that a team member wasn't meeting their deadlines, so I told them they needed to start doing better. They improved, and that solved the problem.

During our weekly 1:1 meeting, I brought up a concern I had about a team member's missed deadlines. I asked for their perspective and together we came up with a plan to help them meet their deadlines in the future. As a result, they improved their performance and were able to complete their tasks on time.

I noticed a team member was consistently missing their deadlines, so I called them into my office to talk to them. They were defensive and upset, but I made it clear that their behavior was unacceptable.

What is the best answer to the following interview question?

"Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to give feedback to a team member?"

What is the best answer to the following interview question?
“Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to give feedback to a team member?”

As an engineering manager, I encountered a complex technical issue during a project. I facilitated a brainstorming session where team members shared their expertise, encouraged collaboration, and fostered a supportive environment. Through effective communication and collective problem-solving, we successfully resolved the issue, ensuring minimal impact on the project timeline.

As an engineering manager, I encountered a complex technical issue during a project. I assigned a task to address the problem to a senior engineer and asked them to work on it without distracting others. The problem was eventually resolved, but it took longer than expected, resulting in a major delay.

As an engineering manager, I encountered a complex technical issue during a project. I decided to help my team and not distract them from their tasks. I had to work overtime but solved the issue.

What is the best situation to answer the following interview question?

"Describe a time when you faced a challenging technical problem within a project. How did you lead your team to find a solution?"

What is the best situation to answer the following interview question?
“Describe a time when you faced a challenging technical problem within a project. How did you lead your team to find a solution?”

I faced a critical decision with limited time and information. I made a decision based on my intuition and the available information. I didn't involve all stakeholders or consult subject matter experts due to time constraints. Unfortunately, the outcome was suboptimal, as the decision overlooked certain risks and resulted in unexpected complications that required additional time and resources to rectify.

During a critical project, I encountered a difficult decision with limited time and information. Recognizing the urgency, I quickly gathered available data and consulted relevant experts. I organized a meeting with key stakeholders to gather their insights and perspectives. After a thorough analysis of the available information, I made a well-informed decision. The outcome was favorable, as the decision addressed the immediate challenge, minimized risks, and allowed the project to progress successfully.

A while back, I was faced with a difficult decision within a project. However, I can't recall the specific details or provide recent examples. I remember I did my best, but the project was still delayed.

What is the best situation for the following interview question?

"Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision with limited time and information. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?"

What is the best situation for the following interview question?
“Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision with limited time and information. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?”

As a staff software engineer, I played a key role in leading a cross-functional team to develop a new software product. I actively collaborated with team members, providing technical guidance, sharing best practices, and fostering an environment of open communication. I also took the initiative to organize regular team meetings, where we discussed project progress, addressed challenges, and ensured alignment among team members. Through my leadership and collaboration efforts, we successfully delivered the project on time and received positive feedback from the stakeholders.

I was part of a team working on a new project that was critical for our company. I contributed as an individual contributor. Although I actively participated in team discussions, shared my expertise, and supported my colleagues when needed, I didn't have the overall responsibility for driving the project or managing the team. 

Around five years ago, I volunteered for a non-profit organization where I worked on supporting a fundraising website and managed a team of volunteers who were responsible for marketing emails. We were able to raise a significant amount for our cause.

What is the best situation for the following interview question?

"Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a complex software development project. How did you contribute to the team's success and ensure effective collaboration?"

What is the best situation for the following interview question?
“Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a complex software development project. How did you contribute to the team’s success and ensure effective collaboration?”

Check your understanding of the STAR method by completing this quiz.

What is a Leadership Behavior Interview?

How to Prepare for a Leadership Interview

Typical Questions and Ways to Answer Them

How to Present Yourself Effectively During the Interview

Red Flags in Leadership Interviews

Conclusion

Quiz: The STAR Method