Can you recount a situation where you had trouble connecting with someone crucial and how you finally succeeded in building a relationship? In the context of eToro, how would you approach building a relationship with a difficult stakeholder?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral question that aims to assess your interpersonal skills, particularly in building relationships with challenging stakeholders. It requires you to recount a past experience where you faced difficulties in connecting with someone important and how you overcame those challenges. Additionally, it asks you to apply that experience to a hypothetical situation at eToro, focusing on how you would handle a difficult stakeholder. The question tests your problem-solving abilities, empathy, communication skills, and strategic thinking.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was responsible for coordinating with various departments to ensure the successful launch of a new product. One crucial stakeholder, the head of sales, was initially resistant to the changes the new product would bring, which created a communication barrier.

Task: My task was to build a productive working relationship with the head of sales to align our goals and ensure the successful launch of the product.

Action:

• Understanding Concerns: I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns and the impact of the new product on the sales team.
• Empathy and Active Listening: During the meeting, I actively listened and empathized with their challenges and acknowledged their expertise and insights.
• Finding Common Ground: I identified common goals, such as increasing sales and customer satisfaction, and emphasized how the new product could contribute to these objectives.
• Regular Communication: I established regular check-ins to keep them informed of progress and involved in decision-making processes, ensuring they felt valued and heard.

Result: Over time, the head of sales became more open to collaboration and provided valuable input that improved the product’s market readiness. Our relationship strengthened, contributing to a successful product launch.

Approach at eToro:

• At eToro, I would first seek to understand the stakeholder’s perspective and any underlying concerns or objectives they might have.
• I would then focus on building trust through transparent communication, actively listening to their needs, and demonstrating the value of collaboration.
• By aligning our goals and involving the stakeholder in the decision-making process, I would aim to foster a positive and productive relationship, even with challenging stakeholders.