Tell me about a time you had to convince someone that an idea worked, and how you did it?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral interview question that seeks to understand your persuasion and communication skills. The interviewer wants to know how you handle situations where you need to advocate for your ideas and how effectively you can influence others. They are interested in the process you used to convince someone, which involves demonstrating your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and the impact of your actions. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation:
In my previous role as a project coordinator, we were working on improving the efficiency of our team meetings. I noticed that a lot of time was wasted on administrative updates that could be shared via email, allowing more time for strategic discussions during meetings.

Task:
I needed to convince my manager and the team that we should adopt a new meeting format where administrative updates were sent out in advance, and meetings were reserved for discussing key issues and decision-making.

Action:
I started by gathering data on the current meeting structure's inefficiencies, highlighting how much time was spent on updates versus strategic discussions. I then researched best practices for effective meetings and prepared a proposal illustrating the benefits of the new format. I scheduled a meeting with my manager to present my findings and proposal. During the meeting, I clearly articulated the benefits, addressed potential concerns, and suggested a trial period to test the new approach.

Result:
My manager was impressed with the data and the structured approach I presented. We implemented the trial, and the team found the new meeting format more productive and engaging. As a result, our meetings became more focused, with a 30% reduction in time spent on administrative tasks, allowing us to make faster decisions on strategic issues. This not only improved team efficiency but also boosted team morale as everyone felt their time was being used more effectively.