Describe a time when you made an unpopular decision.

Question Analysis

This question seeks to evaluate your decision-making skills, leadership qualities, and how you handle conflict or disagreement. It aims to understand your ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, even when they might not be popular with others. It's important to demonstrate that you can stand by your decisions, communicate effectively, and manage any potential fallout or resistance.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was tasked with delivering a major project for a key client. Midway through the project, it became clear that our current approach was not sustainable and would likely result in significant delays.

Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure the project was completed on time and met the client’s expectations. I needed to make a decision about how to proceed, knowing that any change would be met with resistance from the team, who were already invested in the current plan.

Action: After evaluating several options, I decided to implement a more streamlined workflow that required reallocating resources and changing some team roles. I held a meeting to explain the reasons behind the change, the benefits for the project, and how it aligned with our long-term goals. I also listened to the team's concerns and ensured support and training were available to facilitate the transition.

Result: Initially, the decision was unpopular, and there was some pushback from the team. However, as we progressed, the new workflow led to increased efficiency and we were able to deliver the project on time, exceeding the client's expectations. Ultimately, the team recognized the value of the decision, and it brought us closer with a stronger understanding of effective project management strategies.