Why the best candidates aren’t perfect - they’re clear, real, and self-aware.
We hear it all the time in recruitment: councils want to find “the unicorn” - that rare candidate who’s strategic and operational, inspiring and grounded, visionary and detailed.
The problem? If you try too hard to be that unicorn in an interview, you risk looking like something else entirely: unrealistic, over-polished, or worse - forgettable.
Here’s the quiet truth we’ve learned after sitting through hundreds of CEO and executive interviews: The candidates who stand out aren’t the ones trying to tick every box. They’re the ones who know who they are, what they offer — and what they don’t.
In other words: unicorns aren’t perfect. They’re clear, real and self-aware.
The Strength of Clarity
One of the best ways to make an impression in an executive interview is also the simplest: clarity.
Can you clearly explain your leadership style? Your values? What you’re like on a tough day? What you won’t do, as well as what you will?
We see too many candidates chasing every question with the answer they think the panel wants to hear. But great panels, the ones who really care about fit, are quietly looking for honesty, not performance.
If you know what you’re great at, and you own what you’re not, you’ll stand out for all the right reasons.
The Courage to Be Real
Great CEOs and executives don’t pretend they’ve mastered everything.
If community engagement has always been a development area for you - say so. If you're more strategic than operational - explain why that’s your strength and where you’d lean on your team.
Authenticity in senior recruitment is rare. And it’s disarming. It gently tells the panel: I know myself. I can lead myself. And I’ll lead others the same way.
Trying too hard to be the unicorn? You risk sounding rehearsed, defensive or vague.
Being real? That’s how true unicorns show up.
Self-Awareness Beats Perfection
The panels we support often tell us afterwards: "They weren’t perfect, but they knew who they were. I trust that."
Trust matters more than technical perfection. Self-aware leaders make better decisions, build better teams and handle pressure without falling apart.
So what if your background isn’t ‘textbook’ for local government? So what if you’ve made mistakes and learned? These truths make you stronger, not weaker - as long as you own them with quiet confidence.
Be the Unicorn Who Doesn’t Try Too Hard
Here’s the paradox: real unicorns never act like they’re trying to be unicorns.
They tell clear, thoughtful stories about their career. They show how they think, not just what they’ve done. They admit what they still need to learn. They don’t reach for every possible strength - they carefully choose the few that matter.
It’s the difference between trying to impress... and quietly belonging.
And panels notice.
What You Can Do Before Your Next Interview:
Know your leadership strengths and be ready to gently explain them.
Know your gaps and show how you manage them or build support around them.
Be honest about your values, what matters to you and how you lead when no one is watching.
Trust that the right council is looking for the right you - not a checklist hero.
The best candidates are never perfect. They are clear. Real. Human. And that’s what makes them unforgettable.
If you’d like to talk about your next leadership move, or what real fit looks like, get in touch. We’d love to help.
📧hello@leadingroles.com.au
📞1800 088 000