What is your definition of success?

Question Analysis

The question "What is your definition of success?" is a common behavioral interview question. The interviewer is trying to understand your values, motivations, and what you prioritize in both your personal and professional life. This question helps them assess if your definition of success aligns with the company’s culture and goals. It also provides insight into your self-awareness and ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was tasked with leading a team to deliver a high-stakes project under a tight deadline.

Task: My primary objective was to ensure that the project was completed on time, within budget, and met the quality standards expected by our stakeholders.

Action: To achieve this, I defined success as not only meeting the project deadlines but also fostering a collaborative team environment and developing innovative solutions to any challenges that arose. I set clear goals, communicated regularly with the team, and encouraged open feedback and creativity.

Result: By the end of the project, we successfully delivered the project on time and under budget. Furthermore, the solutions we implemented were recognized for their innovation, and the team received positive feedback from stakeholders. This experience reinforced my belief that success means achieving set objectives while also building a positive and productive team dynamic.

Conclusion: To me, success is a combination of achieving specific goals and fostering an environment where team members can grow and contribute meaningfully. It’s about making a positive impact, both in terms of results and relationships.