Speaking practice: answer out loud for one minute
What qualities make a great leader?
1:00
12 conversation questions about leadership
- 1What qualities make a great leader?
- 2Are leaders born or made?
- 3Who is a leader you admire, and why?
- 4Is it better for a leader to be liked or respected?
- 5How should a leader handle a team member who is underperforming?
- 6Should leaders show vulnerability?
- 7What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
- 8How has leadership changed in the age of remote work?
- 9Can introverts be great leaders?
- 10What is the worst mistake a leader can make?
- 11Should leaders be held to a higher moral standard?
- 12Have you ever been in a leadership role? What did you learn?
Useful phrases
- A great leader is someone who...
- Leads by example.
- What sets them apart is...
- There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance.
- It comes down to...
- I learned the hard way that...
- They inspire people to...
- It's counterproductive to...
Key vocabulary
- lead by example
- show others how to behave through your own actions
- delegate
- give tasks or responsibility to others
- accountability
- taking responsibility for results
- vision
- a clear idea of what the future should be
- empathy
- the ability to understand others' feelings
- micromanage
- control every small detail of someone's work
Sample answer
What qualities make a great leader?
For me, a great leader combines a clear vision with genuine empathy. They know where the team is going, but they also understand what each person needs to get there. The best manager I ever had led by example: she never asked us to do anything she wouldn't do herself. Crucially, she also admitted her mistakes, which made the whole team more willing to take risks.
Practise "Leadership" with a real partner
Questions are easier to remember once you've answered them out loud. Start a live 1-on-1 video call and use this topic to get the conversation going.
Practise this topic liveHow to practise this topic
- Answer each question in at least two or three sentences.
- Try to use two of the useful phrases and one new word in every answer.
- With a partner, ask a follow-up question like "Why?" or "Can you give an example?"
- Alone, record your one-minute answer and listen back for one thing to improve.