Can you share a time when you were forced to change your working style.
Question Analysis
This question is asking you to describe a situation where you had to adapt your work style due to external circumstances. The interviewer is looking to understand your flexibility, adaptability, and how you handle change. They are interested in your ability to assess a situation, make the necessary adjustments, and still achieve successful outcomes. To effectively answer this question, you should use the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Answer
Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Corporation, we faced a significant shift when the company decided to transition from a traditional waterfall project management approach to an agile methodology. This change was prompted by the need to improve project delivery speed and flexibility.
Task: My task was to adapt my existing work style, which was highly structured and plan-oriented, to fit into the more dynamic and iterative agile framework. This required a significant change in how I approached project planning, execution, and team management.
Action: To successfully transition, I undertook several actions:
- Education: I enrolled in a certified agile training program to gain a thorough understanding of agile principles and practices.
- Team Collaboration: I started holding more frequent team meetings to foster collaboration and ensure everyone was aligned with the new agile processes.
- Iterative Planning: I adopted iterative planning cycles, breaking down projects into smaller, manageable sprints, and regularly seeking feedback from stakeholders.
- Mindset Shift: I consciously shifted my mindset from focusing solely on long-term outcomes to embracing continuous improvement and adaptability.
Result: As a result of these changes, our team successfully completed the first agile project two weeks ahead of schedule, with increased stakeholder satisfaction and improved team morale. The shift not only enhanced my personal adaptability but also contributed to the overall success and efficiency of the team.