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The fastest way to derail a leadership interview is to treat it like a normal promotion chat. We open with the question that decides more careers than people want to admit: “Why do you want to be a leader?” Then Greg and I unpack what interviewers are really listening for in those first few minutes and how your answer signals maturity, motivation, and readiness before you’ve even covered your resume.

We also get practical about the modern reality of hiring: virtual interviews. When you’re on the phone or staring into a Zoom camera, you lose a lot of body language and every pause gets amplified. We talk through leadership presence you can control right now, including voice clarity, intentional wording, camera eye contact, and the small professionalism cues that communicate you take the responsibility seriously.

From there, we discuss what leadership actually is: a shift from technical execution to relationship-based work and accountability for other people’s success. We share ways to prove leadership without authority, what “strategic leadership” often signals about day-one expectations, and why listening and asking thoughtful questions at the end can separate strong candidates from passive ones. We also cover core competencies like emotional intelligence, trust building, and strategic thinking, plus red-flag behaviors like micromanaging and taking credit.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell