Can you tell me about a difficult piece of feedback you received and how you handled it?
Question Analysis
This question is designed to assess your ability to handle criticism and learn from it, which is crucial for personal and professional growth. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you respond to challenges, adapt to feedback, and use it to improve your performance. They are looking for evidence of emotional intelligence, resilience, and a proactive attitude in your response. Utilizing the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help structure your answer effectively.
Answer
Situation:
In my previous role as a project coordinator, I received feedback from my manager during a performance review. The feedback highlighted that my communication with cross-functional teams needed improvement, as there were occasional misunderstandings that led to project delays.
Task:
My task was to enhance my communication skills to ensure clarity and efficiency in project coordination, thereby reducing any chances of miscommunication and improving project timelines.
Action:
To address this feedback, I took several steps:
- Active Listening: I made a conscious effort to focus on active listening during meetings, ensuring I fully understood the perspectives and requirements of each team member.
- Clarification: I began summarizing key points at the end of meetings and encouraged team members to ask questions or provide clarifications, ensuring everyone was on the same page.
- Feedback Loop: I established a feedback loop by scheduling brief check-ins with team leads to discuss ongoing projects, which helped identify potential issues early and allowed for timely intervention.
Result:
As a result of these actions, the communication flow within the team improved significantly. Project delays were minimized, and I received positive feedback in subsequent reviews. My manager noted the improvement in my communication skills, and cross-functional teams appreciated the increased clarity and efficiency, which contributed to the successful completion of projects.