Tell me about a time when your performance rating differed from what you expected.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your self-awareness, ability to handle feedback, and how you respond to situations where expectations do not align with reality. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you perceived your performance, how you reacted to unexpected feedback, and what steps you took to address any discrepancies. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your answer effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Company, I worked on a critical project aimed at improving our internal communication systems. I believed I had managed the project efficiently and effectively, ensuring timely delivery and team collaboration.

Task: At the end of the project, we had performance reviews. I expected a high rating due to the successful implementation and positive feedback from team members and stakeholders.

Action: During the review, I received a lower performance rating than anticipated. The feedback indicated that while the project was successful, there were concerns about my delegation style, which was perceived as too hands-off, leading to some initial delays.

I took this feedback seriously and scheduled a follow-up meeting with my manager to better understand their perspective. I also reached out to team members for additional feedback on my management style. Based on the insights gained, I enrolled in a leadership workshop to enhance my delegation and communication skills.

Result: Over the next few months, I applied the new techniques and actively sought feedback from my team. This resulted in improved project timelines and increased team satisfaction. In my next performance review, I received a positive rating, with specific commendation for my improved leadership abilities. This experience taught me the importance of continuous self-improvement and adapting management styles to meet team needs.