How to identify leadership potential in teaching candidates

In today’s international schools, leadership doesn’t begin and end with the senior leadership team. Teachers who demonstrate leadership potential can drive innovation, support school-wide initiatives, mentor peers, and contribute meaningfully to the broader school community. Identifying these emerging leaders during the recruitment process can significantly strengthen your school’s long-term success and culture.

Here’s how international schools can spot leadership potential in teaching candidates – before they step into the classroom.

Look beyond qualifications

Leadership potential often reveals itself through behaviours, mindset, and past experiences—not just titles or certifications. While formal leadership roles are valuable indicators, schools should also pay close attention to how candidates have influenced and supported others in less formal capacities.

Ask about instances where the candidate has:

• Initiated new programs or projects
• Mentored colleagues or student leaders
• Led extracurricular activities or community events
• Played a key role in cross-departmental collaboration

These experiences can indicate initiative, responsibility, and the ability to inspire others—core qualities of a strong future leader.

Ask targeted behavioural questions

To uncover leadership potential, behavioural interview techniques are especially effective. Pose questions that prompt candidates to reflect on past situations where they demonstrated leadership, even in small or informal ways. Useful prompts include:

• “Tell me about a time you led a team or project. What was your role and what was the outcome?”
• “Describe a situation where you had to influence others to adopt a new idea or approach.”
• “Can you give an example of how you supported a colleague through a professional challenge?”

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help candidates provide structured and meaningful responses that reveal deeper qualities.

Evaluate communication and emotional intelligence

Effective leaders are strong communicators and demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence. During interviews, assess how clearly and confidently candidates articulate their thoughts, how they listen and respond to questions, and whether they show self-awareness and empathy.

Look for signs that the candidate:

• Can build rapport quickly
• Adjusts their communication style to different audiences
• Handles feedback constructively
• Remains calm and solution-focused under pressure

These qualities are particularly valuable in international school settings, where cross-cultural communication and sensitivity are essential.

Assess alignment with your school’s vision

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. A candidate may have leadership potential, but it’s equally important that their values and vision align with your school’s mission. During the recruitment process, share your school’s goals and invite candidates to reflect on how they would contribute.

Ask questions like:

• “What does leadership mean to you in a school context?”
• “How do you see yourself growing professionally over the next five years?”
• “What impact would you hope to make in your next teaching role?”

Their answers can help you determine whether their ambitions align with the kind of leadership your school aims to foster.

Leverage recruitment tools to identify high-potential candidates

Modern recruitment platforms like Tes Staff Management (previously known as Schrole Connect) can help you identify and nurture leadership potential in candidates more effectively. Use vacancy questions to screen for leadership-related experiences and values, then track responses in a centralised system.

With built-in candidate ranking, applicant tracking, and communication tools, Tes Staff Management allows schools to manage recruitment efficiently while keeping a close eye on leadership indicators.

Investing in tomorrow’s school leaders

Recognising leadership potential early allows schools to invest in the growth of future leaders from within. By incorporating targeted questions, structured evaluations, and the right recruitment technology, international schools can build strong, forward-thinking teaching teams equipped to lead from any level.

Ready to attract high-potential educators? Contact us to learn how Tes Staff Management can support your leadership-focused recruitment strategy.