If you ever made an unpopular decision, tell me about that

Question Analysis

This question is a classic behavioral interview question aimed at understanding your decision-making skills, leadership abilities, and how you handle conflict or dissent. The interviewer is interested in knowing whether you can make tough decisions, even when they might not be popular, and how you manage the consequences of those decisions. It also tests your ability to communicate and justify your decisions to others. This question requires a response using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which helps structure the answer to clearly demonstrate your experience and the outcome.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at [Company Name], we were working on a high-stakes project with a tight deadline. The team was used to a certain workflow that had been effective in the past but was not suitable for the current project due to its complexity.

Task: As the project manager, I needed to make a decision about changing the workflow to a more agile approach. This was not a popular decision among the team, as they were comfortable with the existing process and were concerned about adapting to a new system under time constraints.

Action: I called a team meeting to explain the reasoning behind the decision. I provided data and examples of how the agile approach could lead to more efficient project management and better results. I also arranged for training sessions to help the team transition smoothly and encouraged open communication to address any concerns.

Result: Although initially met with resistance, the team gradually adapted to the new workflow. As a result, we were able to complete the project ahead of schedule and exceed client expectations. The success of this project also led to the adoption of agile processes for future projects, which improved overall team performance and productivity.

By demonstrating the ability to make and implement an unpopular decision effectively, I was able to drive positive change and deliver successful outcomes.