Job Interview Question and Answer: Describe A Situation Where You Had to Show Leadership

This common behavioural interview question is designed to uncover your ability to lead, take initiative, and influence outcomes—whether or not you’ve held a formal leadership title. The good news? You don’t need to have “manager” in your job title to prove you’re a strong leader.

Leadership can show up in countless ways: guiding a team project, mentoring a colleague, stepping up during a crisis, or even taking charge in volunteer or personal initiatives. What interviewers really want to know is: can you take ownership, make smart decisions, and inspire others when it counts?

Why Employers Ask This Question

Employers are assessing a mix of soft skills and situational judgment, including your:

• Initiative and confidence under pressure
• Communication and team coordination
• Ability to influence outcomes and make decisions
• Adaptability in unfamiliar or challenging situations

In Australia’s job market, where leadership capability is a core competency across many industries, showing you can lead without being asked is a major advantage.

How to Choose a Strong Example

Don’t worry if you haven’t managed a team in a formal role. You can pull from:

• Workplace experiences (e.g. leading meetings, onboarding new staff)
• Education settings (e.g. managing a group project or presentation)
• Volunteering and community involvement (e.g. coordinating events)
• Family and personal life (e.g. coaching a sports team, organising schedules)

Just ensure the story demonstrates relevant leadership qualities—like problem-solving, communication, delegation, and motivating others.

Need help identifying your leadership style? Learn more in our guide to the top 10 traits of effective leaders.

Use the STAR Method to Structure Your Answer

For clarity and impact, use the STAR method when responding:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context.
• Task: What goal or challenge were you addressing?
• Action: What specific steps did you take as the leader?
• Result: What was the outcome? What did you achieve or learn?

Example Answer (for early-career applicants)

“During my final year of university, I led a group of five students on a marketing project. Our task was to create a campaign strategy for a small business client. I organised weekly check-ins, delegated tasks based on strengths, and mediated conflicts when team members had differing ideas. As a result, our project was selected as the top submission in our class, and the client implemented key elements from our plan.”

Example Answer (for experienced professionals)

“At my previous job, we faced a tight deadline on a client proposal after a key team member went on unexpected leave. I volunteered to lead the project, reorganised the task list, and worked with two departments to get input. I kept stakeholders informed with daily updates. We submitted on time, and the client later praised our communication and awarded us the contract.”

Tips to Maximise Impact

✔ Be Specific

Vague answers won’t work. Detail your leadership role and your personal contributions—not just what the team did.

✔ Focus on Results

Show the tangible or positive outcome of your leadership—like a goal achieved, process improved, or people supported.

✔ Don’t Undersell “Small” Wins

Leadership doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful. Organising a team-building activity or mentoring a new hire still counts—if it involved initiative, planning, and influence.

✔ Match Your Example to the Role

If you’re applying for a team-based or client-facing role, choose examples that show collaboration, emotional intelligence, or decision-making under pressure. Use your answer to signal that you’re ready to lead again in this new environment.

Showcase Your Leadership Potential

You don’t have to be a CEO to be a leader. What matters most is how you take responsibility, support others, and create positive outcomes. By preparing a clear, confident answer using the STAR method, you’ll demonstrate leadership qualities that employers value—no matter your title or experience level.

Looking to build stronger leadership skills? Explore flexible leadership and management courses available online across Australia.

For more behavioural interview questions and expert advice, visit our interview questions hub.