Why do you want to be a leader of a team? Interview Question and Answer

Before you get on with answering the typical interview question, you need to understand the basis of it – You need to know what the interviewer expects.

Most importantly, you need to be well aware about the traits of a good leader.
You may find answers readings the below, after this article –

Once you are through with the basic ‘check-list’, you can surely do some homework and come up with an appropriate answer.

So, what are the traits of a leader? What is an interviewer looking for when he asks the question, “Why do you want to be a team leader?”

Following are a few things that an interviewer may be looking for:

1. Idea Champion: An interviewer would expect the interviewee to be an idea champion. He should be able to initiate tasks and end the inertia of his team. He should be able to devise plans and persuade the team to work upon those. Also, he should be able to grasp his team member’s view point and address the same, if need be.

2. Eager listener: Another important trait of a good leader is his ability to listen to his team mates. If he cannot listen to them and work in accordance, no one shall tag along with him and ultimately the team would get dismantled.

3. Nimble-footed: A good leader is nimble-footed. He is receptive of change. If things go wrong or require alternative measures, he does not panic; he alters the approach to achieve the target.

Having understood the qualities of a leader, it is perhaps, easy to devise the right answer.

Let’s understand the process with the help of an example:

Interviewer: “Why do you want to become a leader of a team?”

Interviewee: “I am a strategist and like to execute and implement my plans in accordance with my team mates to achieve long and short term goals. I have always worked in teams and in fact, captained my senior college baseball team. Being receptive to change and having a flexible bent of mind, I have been able to achieve great results at social community congregations of which I happen to be the manager. I understand that the job requires a candidate to lead a team of 5 men for achieving sales related objectives and I truly believe I fit in.”

Clearly, the interviewee has been able to get across his message in a lucid yet illustrative way. He has more chances than anyone in securing the job.

Why do you want to be a Leader of a Team?