↳ Why: Screams micromanager
1. "I'm a perfectionist."
↳ Instead: "I help teams raise standards and grow."
↳ Why: Sounds like you'll be a bottleneck
2. "I don't delegate easily."
↳ Instead: "I build systems that empower others."
↳ Why: Suggests you don't value team input
3. "I can make all the decisions."
↳ Instead: "I create space for diverse perspectives."
↳ Why: Never blame others - period
4. "My last team struggled to keep up."
↳ Instead: "I learned valuable lessons about pacing."
↳ Why: Shows lack of self-awareness
5. "I don't really have weaknesses."
↳ Instead: "Here's what I'm improving on..."
↳ Why: Hints at communication gaps
6. "I don't need much direction."
↳ Instead: "I align closely with stakeholders."
↳ Why: Closes the door to learning
7. "I know everything about leadership."
↳ Instead: "I'm always evolving my approach."
↳ Why: You either avoid or lack awareness
8. "I've never had any conflicts."
↳ Instead: "I turn conflicts into growth chances."
↳ Why: Dismisses the value of experience
9. "I'm a natural leader."
↳ Instead: "I've grown through every challenge."
↳ Why: Warning that you're a burnout risk
10. "I'm available 24/7."
↳ Instead: "I ensure sustainable high performance."
Leadership interviews are conversations.
Show them who you are, not who you think
they want you to be.