How to respond to the interview question: Are you a leader or a follower? With examples!

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in life. It's common to see reflections of those characteristics in our professional selves. A common dichotomy we see mirrored in the workplace is being a leader versus a follower. In fact, you may even be asked during an interview, “Are you a leader or a follower?” 

Why do recruiters ask, and how do you respond to this interview question? Continue reading to find out. 

In this article we’ll cover the following:

• Why do recruiters ask the question?

• The best ways to respond.

• How to let it guide your career.

Are you a follower or a leader: what are recruiters trying to find out?

It’s pretty straightforward: recruiters are trying to decide if you’ll be a good fit for the role you’re interviewing for.

But how could that one question determine anything?

The recruiters have a general idea of whether the position’s duties will be based more on being a leader or on following a leader. Asking if you’re a leader or a follower is a direct way of asking if you’re qualified or naturally inclined to do well in the position. 

An aspect of leadership is communication. When asked this question, it’s your first opportunity to answer with confidence, clarity, and professionalism. If the thought of being in a leadership position makes you squirmy, instead discuss your affinity for following directives. If the idea of being in a follower position makes you feel defeated, instead, describe all the lessons you’ve learned from impactful leaders in your life so far. 

The point is that being asked if you are a leader or follower isn’t a trick question. It’s a genuine opportunity to make sure you end up in the position that fits you best. When you do answer, know that the way you compose yourself is being noted as an indicator. Whatever your answer, be sure to represent yourself well.  

How to answer: are you a leader or a follower? Is there a correct answer?

Nope, there is no correct way to answer this question. But there are ways to be strategic. We’ll show you how. 

Research the position

If a recruiter is using this question to gauge your fit for the position, you should be doing the same! 

Review the job description and see if it describes duties more in line with leadership or following a leader. 

Look for these indicators of a leadership role: 

• Problem-solving, delegation, communication, overseeing processes or people, guiding initiatives, tracking, management, and leadership training. 

Look for these indicators of a follower role: 

• Assistance, compliance, documentation, active listening, teamwork, detail-oriented, organization, persistence, and thoroughness.

How to formulate a well-rounded answer

While you want to represent yourself authentically, it’s also important to be flexible. By describing yourself as comfortable in both leadership and follower roles, you are actually positioning yourself well as an asset. Employers love a candidate who can fit whatever role the company needs for any given project. Flexibility like that can take you far. 

As an added bonus, someone who describes themself as flexible will also be considered for more job opportunities, for the simple fact that they are remaining open to a variety of conditions. 

If you want to represent yourself as flexible, try saying something like:

“I feel comfortable in both leadership roles and taking direction as a follower. I see the value in both approaches, and I'm happy to do whatever will help the project best.” 

What if I’m a natural leader?

If you are someone who already knows that you were born to lead, it’s perfectly reasonable to express it. 

Keep in mind that one of the things that makes a leader great is their ability to empathize with those that they lead. Often, this skill is learned through experience in a follower role. So if you intend on prioritizing leadership roles, it’s important to still communicate that you are balanced. 

Try saying something like:

“I have been fortunate enough to have been trained under the leadership of some excellent mentors and bosses. From them, I learned [X, Y, and Z], lessons that I believe have allowed me to become the effective leader that I am today. With every new leadership role I have, I refine my skills and capacity for being a great leader, though I understand a true leader never stops growing.”

What if I’m a natural follower?

Natural followers are valuable assets at any company. In fact, the bulk of most staff will be participating in more follower roles than leadership roles. 

Some people think that companies want to employ a full workforce of leaders. But the reality is that every company needs followers. Too many leaders can actually create an environment of competition. Followers are efficient and steadfast. In many ways, followers are the glue that holds companies together. You should be proud of being a follower, and you can express that pride in your answer. 

Try saying something like:

“I excel at receiving instruction and following it meticulously. I have a knack for delivering projects on time and exceeding expectations for me. I prefer to be given a directive and manage myself as I execute it.”

The leadership pyramid

As mentioned above, most members of any workforce will be followers. That’s because a basic professional hierarchy follows a pyramid structure. 

The base of the pyramid is frontline staff, manufacturers, or other types of professionals who receive tasks from up top. The middle bracket is those who balance being a follower and a leader. They answer to those above them, while also overseeing those below them. And at the top is the head of the department or company. Think of your general manager or CEO. 

When people begin their professional journey, they usually start at the bottom of the pyramid. At this point, being a follower will benefit you. 

A follower appreciates receiving detailed instruction, has a resource to turn to for resolving problems, and only needs to be concerned about their portion of the workload. 

As that individual begins to work up the ladder, they will likely take on more responsibility, be expected to troubleshoot and resolve any problems they run into, and might start to manage projects or people. 

At the top of the pyramid, the individual will be expected to be responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, compliance and budget tracking, delegation, and oversight of team productions. When issues arise at any other level of the pyramid, that individual also takes responsibility for them too. 

How to let the leadership pyramid guide my career

When you read about the leadership pyramid, what layer sounded the best to you? Use that insight to guide your career. 

If you want to be at the top of the pyramid, you are likely naturally inclined to leadership. You’ll probably spend a lot of your career making traditional moves up the corporate ladder. To work on being a well-balanced leader, try to make a point earlier on in your career to practice being a follower. It will only strengthen your skillset and make you a better fit for the top of the pyramid. 

If the middle level of the pyramid sounded best, where you take on some leadership roles and some follower roles, then you should work towards embodying versatility. Be a team player, and be willing, but not too eager, to be in whatever position will help propel the team or project forward. There is a certain peace that can come from this kind of contentedness. A balanced work-life like this is the goal for many professionals. 

If the pyramid's base sounds ideal for you, you might prefer being given directives. People like this enjoy coming to work and knowing exactly what's expected of them for that day. They don’t have to keep others moving toward a goal, they can focus on their own tasks and go home at the end of the day, leaving work at work. 

Key takeaways

1. Recruiters want to know if you’ll be a good fit for the position you’re applying for when they ask if you’re a leader or a follower. 

2. If your goal is to stay true to yourself, then there is no correct way to answer the question. 

3. Use your knowledge of yourself to help guide your career.