Describe A Friend Who Is A Good Leader: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

  • Who is this person?
  • How do you know this person?
  • What does he do?
  • How does this person behave?
  • Why do you think he is a good leader?

Band 7

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I would like to tell you about my friend today. He is Mr. Venkatesh. He is my childhood friend and also an undergraduate in my college. He is a very good person. He is very decent and he always welcomes me with a smiling face and always calms down my anger in my high situations and also a college friend. I met him in my childhood. I know him since my third class. He has a very good leadership qualities because the way he behaves with the people, the way he orders them and commands them, I like the way in him. Moreover, there are many such qualities that I have observed from my childhood that he was a very humble person and also a good leader that I know. He behaves like a political leader and a fascinating one.

Follow up questions


What specific leadership qualities does Mr. Venkatesh possess?
Mr. Venkatesh possesses qualities such as humility, effective communication, and the ability to inspire others. He listens to people's concerns and addresses them thoughtfully, which makes him approachable and respected among his peers.

Can you share an example of a situation where he demonstrated his leadership?
Once during a college project, Mr. Venkatesh organized our team effectively. He delegated tasks based on our strengths and ensured everyone felt included. His ability to mediate conflicts and keep the team motivated led us to complete the project successfully.

How has his leadership influenced you personally?
His leadership has inspired me to develop my own skills. I’ve learned the importance of being calm under pressure and how to motivate others. Observing his interactions has encouraged me to be more empathetic and to take initiative in group settings.

Band 6-7

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So, I can describe my best friend Binsumol as a good leader, because I know her from my age to standard, we are childhood friends, we were together from our childhood, we grow, we play and we spend time together, we are neighbours also. So we studied nursing in Bangalore, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. From that time onwards, I can see a good leader in her, we are having class leaders every month. When she was a leader, there was corona time, corona period that time, so our exam was also going on, so the team leader was having a very hectic schedule and work load, so she handled it very nicely and she removed all the troubles and problems that we have faced. And when we come to the work, we are working as paediatric nurse in Kokilap and Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. As here also we are together, I can see her with my closed eyes, she is the team leader of our group, so we are having different schedules, morning, evening and night duties. So whenever she is in duty, she is the team leader and I am always with her. So if the duty is very busy also, she can handle that very nicely. By the way of her talking, by the way she is handling the team, that is very understandable because if others are there, they will get frustrated, they will shout at their staff but how Binsu is like that, she will make all the things together for her team. She don't blame her team, she always help, if another staff find difficulty in treating the patient or they are busy with their other patients, as a team leader she helps her whole team, so that is a very good quality I have seen in her.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think make someone a good leader?
I believe a good leader should possess qualities like empathy, strong communication skills, and the ability to inspire others. They should also be decisive and able to handle stress effectively, especially in challenging situations, just like my friend Binsumol does.

How important is teamwork in leadership?
Teamwork is crucial in leadership because it fosters collaboration and ensures that everyone feels valued. A good leader, like Binsumol, encourages teamwork by supporting her colleagues and creating a positive environment, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for the team.

Can you share an example of a time when Binsumol faced a challenge as a leader?
During the pandemic, Binsumol faced the challenge of managing her team’s workload while ensuring patient care. She organized the team effectively, communicated openly about the challenges, and provided support to her colleagues, which helped everyone cope with the stressful situation.

Band 6-7

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Leader is the one of the most important part of the group and a leader is always good, always saying how to work. Today I would like to talk about one of my best friend Kenil. He is captain of our Kabaddi team. He always knows how to win this match. He instructed our team and my team has always been under his captainship. He is always an active person on the match field. Now he is a national champion in Kabaddi team and he leads the national Kabaddi team.

Follow up questions


What qualities make Kenil a good leader in your opinion?
Kenil possesses several qualities that make him a great leader. He is confident, communicates effectively, and motivates our team. His ability to strategize during matches and keep the team's morale high is crucial. He also leads by example, showing dedication and hard work.

How has Kenil influenced you personally?
Kenil has greatly influenced me by instilling a sense of discipline and teamwork. His leadership style encourages me to push my limits and strive for excellence. I’ve learned the importance of collaboration and supporting each other, which has improved my performance in the sport.

Can you share a specific instance where Kenil demonstrated his leadership skills?
One specific instance was during a crucial match where we were trailing behind. Kenil called for a timeout, reassured us, and adjusted our strategy. His calm demeanor and clear instructions helped us regain focus, and we ended up winning the match, showcasing his effective leadership.

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Band 6-7

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00:00

So, one of my friends who I believe is a good leader is my childhood friend, we started interacting with each other when we were in KG class and it's been 25 years plus and we are still in contact with each other. So, she has been always a good orator, I believe that is one of the good qualities that you need in a good leader and because she is a good orator, she tends to be very assertive when she has to be. Right now, she is working in an MNC bank and her location is in Hyderabad, she is handling about 25 to 30 people under her, I believe that talks for itself, if she has 30 people who are under her management. If we talk about and she behaves however she needs to, she can be childish at some point of time, she can also be very vocal when she has to make her point known to other people but other than that she is a very very good listener, she is very, besides being a good listener, she will listen to what your problems are and be there when you need her, you can always give her a call at 2 am and she will reply back to you. I believe those are some qualities that you need in a good leader and she is making up for all of them. Thank you.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think are essential for a good leader?
I believe essential qualities for a good leader include effective communication, empathy, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire others. A good leader should also be adaptable and open to feedback, as these traits help in managing a team effectively and fostering a positive work environment.

How has your friend's leadership style influenced you?
My friend's leadership style has greatly influenced me by showing me the importance of being assertive yet approachable. I've learned to communicate my ideas clearly while also being a good listener, which helps in building strong relationships both personally and professionally.

Can you share an example of a situation where your friend demonstrated her leadership skills?
Certainly! There was a time when her team faced a major project deadline. She organized a meeting to address everyone's concerns, delegated tasks effectively, and motivated her team to work collaboratively. Her ability to remain calm and focused under pressure really showcased her leadership skills.

Band 6-7

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00:00

A good friend of mine, his name is Samyak. When it comes to personal nature, he is really shy and socializes less. But when it comes to work, he is really aggressive and knows how to make the work done and achieve the end goal. If I also talk about his educational background, so he is in CSN Junior from IIT Delhi. After that he completed his MBA from SMS Delhi and currently he is serving as a product manager in Google. So why I consider him as a leader, I have worked with him when we were kids at the time of school. So we were having a project in 9th class and the way he took the lead as a project leader and worked hard with everyone as a team, making it a collective effort. He was really passionate about the work. He had the ability to solve problems. When everyone was talking about the problems, he was solving them. He was really optimistic as a leader. He knew who has the capability to do the work and did the work accordingly.

Follow up questions


What qualities do you think are essential for a good leader?
I believe essential qualities for a good leader include strong communication skills, the ability to inspire others, problem-solving capabilities, and adaptability. A good leader should also be empathetic and able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their team members.

How can leadership skills be developed over time?
Leadership skills can be developed through experience, education, and mentorship. Participating in team activities, taking on leadership roles in projects, and seeking feedback can help individuals grow. Additionally, studying leadership theories and practices can provide valuable insights.

Can you share an example of a leader you admire besides your friend?
One leader I admire is Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft. He transformed the company culture to be more inclusive and innovative. His focus on empathy and collaboration has led to significant growth and success for Microsoft, making him a great example of effective leadership.
Show all 31 answers

Cue 1:Who is this person?

  • Introduce your friend by name and mention how long you have known them.
  • Provide a brief background about their role or position.

Example

My friend's name is Rahul, and I have known him for over five years. He is currently the team leader at a local NGO that focuses on community development.


Cue 2:How do you know this person?

  • Explain the context in which you met your friend.
  • Mention any shared experiences that strengthened your friendship.

Example

I met Rahul during my college days when we both volunteered for a social service project. Working together on that project helped us bond over our shared passion for helping others.


Cue 3:What does he do?

  • Describe his professional responsibilities and achievements.
  • Highlight any specific projects or initiatives he has led.

Example

As a team leader, Rahul coordinates various community programs, such as educational workshops for underprivileged children. He successfully led a campaign that provided scholarships to over 100 students last year.


Cue 4:How does this person behave?

  • Discuss his leadership style and how he interacts with others.
  • Mention specific traits that make him approachable and respected.

Example

Rahul is very approachable and always encourages open communication. He listens to everyone's ideas and values their input, which makes the team feel motivated and respected.


Cue 5:Why do you think he is a good leader?

  • Provide reasons based on his actions and impact on others.
  • Mention how he inspires and motivates those around him.

Example

I believe Rahul is a good leader because he leads by example. His dedication and hard work inspire others to give their best. He also takes the time to mentor younger team members, which shows his commitment to their growth.


Conclusion

    Example

    In conclusion, Rahul exemplifies what it means to be a good leader. His ability to connect with people, coupled with his passion for community service, makes him not only a great friend but also an inspiring leader.


    Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.


    Tips to answer this Cue Card

    1: Vague Descriptions

    Avoid giving unclear or general descriptions of your friend. This can make your answer less engaging and informative.

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    Tip

    Use specific examples and details about your friend's leadership qualities to create a vivid picture.


    2: Lack of Personal Connection

    Not explaining how you know this person can weaken your response. It’s important to establish a personal connection.

    bulb icon

    Tip

    Share a brief story or experience that highlights your relationship with this friend to add depth to your answer.


    Ignoring Leadership Qualities

    Failing to discuss specific leadership traits can make your answer incomplete. It's crucial to explain why they are a good leader.

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    Tip

    Identify and elaborate on at least two or three key qualities that make your friend an effective leader.


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    All Answers

    Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

    Band 7

    I would like to tell you about my friend today. He is Mr. Venkatesh. He is my childhood friend and also an undergraduate in my college. He is a very good person. He is very decent and he always welcomes me with a smiling face and always calms down my anger in my high situations and also a college friend. I met him in my childhood. I know him since my third class. He has a very good leadership qualities because the way he behaves with the people, the way he orders them and commands them, I like the way in him. Moreover, there are many such qualities that I have observed from my childhood that he was a very humble person and also a good leader that I know. He behaves like a political leader and a fascinating one.

    Band 6-7

    So, I can describe my best friend Binsumol as a good leader, because I know her from my age to standard, we are childhood friends, we were together from our childhood, we grow, we play and we spend time together, we are neighbours also. So we studied nursing in Bangalore, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. From that time onwards, I can see a good leader in her, we are having class leaders every month. When she was a leader, there was corona time, corona period that time, so our exam was also going on, so the team leader was having a very hectic schedule and work load, so she handled it very nicely and she removed all the troubles and problems that we have faced. And when we come to the work, we are working as paediatric nurse in Kokilap and Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. As here also we are together, I can see her with my closed eyes, she is the team leader of our group, so we are having different schedules, morning, evening and night duties. So whenever she is in duty, she is the team leader and I am always with her. So if the duty is very busy also, she can handle that very nicely. By the way of her talking, by the way she is handling the team, that is very understandable because if others are there, they will get frustrated, they will shout at their staff but how Binsu is like that, she will make all the things together for her team. She don't blame her team, she always help, if another staff find difficulty in treating the patient or they are busy with their other patients, as a team leader she helps her whole team, so that is a very good quality I have seen in her.

    Band 6-7

    or university. I'm going to talk about a good leader who is my friend. From my perspective it is Aisha. She is a close person to me after my family. She has the qualities of a good leader. Actually she is dominating. She has the ability to differentiate among right and wrong. She forecasts the things and she also has the ability of making decisions very precisely. So I think that she is going to be a good leader and she look forward for what's happening what's gonna happen next to this situation particular situation. This may may be and this may add to a plus point for making her good leader. Moreover she carry herself so well so you know beautifully that she can be a leader an inspiration and a motivation to all of the people who are seeing her who are looking at her.

    Band 6-7

    In schools, I think it is very important to choose a leader to manage everything in classes and schools. So, we had also a school leader and a class leader. Not only in schools, we had a leader in college also. One of my friends is the best in leadership. His name is Abraham Sebastian. He is a young, talented, handsome boy at that time. He was very punctual and also he is a very courageous man, I know. He manages the things in the classrooms. At that time, the leaders have the responsibility to ask the tutors to take classes. He is the one who makes the timetable for the class teachers to take classes. He manages the funding of small fees. He managed everything at that time. We have to choose different representatives for every class. But, we together decided to make him the class leader for every year.

    Band 6-7

    So, a friend of mine who is a good leader, I consider him a good leader is Krishna as his personality reflect a good leader. He, during my college days, we were in same class, many times we got presentations and group assignments. So, I have found him very much engaging with the teammates. Also, he tries to make others understand or help others whenever they need any assistance or help. He never turns his back. Furthermore, I have found him involved in lot of team work activities and coordination activities such as organizing an event or contacting with lots of people. He is very much engaged in such kind of activities. In addition to this, he is a very humble person. If anyone person asks any kind of help to him, I never found him saying no to the person or rejecting their request. He is always in front or even if he cannot help others, he suggests them whatever impossible way he could. So, thus these are the qualities which I find him and helps me consider him as a good leader. For me also, whenever I found any difficulty, any kind of problems, even personal problem or study related issues.

    Band 6-7

    A good friend of mine, his name is Samyak. When it comes to personal nature, he is really shy and socializes less. But when it comes to work, he is really aggressive and knows how to make the work done and achieve the end goal. If I also talk about his educational background, so he is in CSN Junior from IIT Delhi. After that he completed his MBA from SMS Delhi and currently he is serving as a product manager in Google. So why I consider him as a leader, I have worked with him when we were kids at the time of school. So we were having a project in 9th class and the way he took the lead as a project leader and worked hard with everyone as a team, making it a collective effort. He was really passionate about the work. He had the ability to solve problems. When everyone was talking about the problems, he was solving them. He was really optimistic as a leader. He knew who has the capability to do the work and did the work accordingly.

    Band 6-7

    So, one of my friends who I believe is a good leader is my childhood friend, we started interacting with each other when we were in KG class and it's been 25 years plus and we are still in contact with each other. So, she has been always a good orator, I believe that is one of the good qualities that you need in a good leader and because she is a good orator, she tends to be very assertive when she has to be. Right now, she is working in an MNC bank and her location is in Hyderabad, she is handling about 25 to 30 people under her, I believe that talks for itself, if she has 30 people who are under her management. If we talk about and she behaves however she needs to, she can be childish at some point of time, she can also be very vocal when she has to make her point known to other people but other than that she is a very very good listener, she is very, besides being a good listener, she will listen to what your problems are and be there when you need her, you can always give her a call at 2 am and she will reply back to you. I believe those are some qualities that you need in a good leader and she is making up for all of them. Thank you.

    Band 6-7

    Leader is the one of the most important part of the group and a leader is always good, always saying how to work. Today I would like to talk about one of my best friend Kenil. He is captain of our Kabaddi team. He always knows how to win this match. He instructed our team and my team has always been under his captainship. He is always an active person on the match field. Now he is a national champion in Kabaddi team and he leads the national Kabaddi team.

    Band 6-7

    As per my viewpoint Sandeep would be the best leader as I know because as I lived with him for past 7-8 years I know him thoroughly. I came across him for the academic studies of pharma which I have completed doctor of pharmacy and he was one of my classmate and although he was also my roommate so I know him personally. I lived with him for 24 hours. He is a man full of experience. The most quality I like in him is he is a diplomatic person. He knows how to handle the situations, how to lead a team, how to take care of a team, how to solve problems and that's the main thing I like about him. However he was a leader of a group project which we were conducted in project work in 5th year. He was an absolute fine leader leading from front although he divided the work with us but most of the part of the project was covered by him and the expressions and the while expressing some words or while giving a speech in front of a huge crowd the expressions he have, the idioms he have.

    Band 6

    I have a lot of good friends who are the greatest ability of the leader. But in which I would like to mention one person that is Siddhesh Nadri. He is a good leader according to me and he was my good partner in the under-19 cricket team. When I was 19, I and Siddhesh represented to the Pune district cricket team. We met together at the time at Pune cricket stadium. That's why I assume he is the best leader. He is the captain of the overall team and he represents the Pune district team as captain. It's a very big thing. Additionally, I would like to say that he has a lot of qualities. First, I would like to mention that he is the great leader. He assumes everyone's beliefs. So, I assume him as a great leader. Secondly, he is a carpenter. He never thought that we will give up. He is tenacious also. He is meticulous. He pointed a lot of things and tried to diminish the bugs in the previous one. So, I assume he is a great leader. I would like to put an example from my past. When our team was in struggle, when bowlers considered more runs. He kept his hand on the head of the bowlers and said, Don't worry about it. Play your game. Don't take a stress. Be free. That's why this incident motivated me. That's why I assume Siddhesh as a good leader and a good friend of mine.
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