Give an example of when you made a decision that was unpopular.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your decision-making skills, leadership capabilities, and how you handle opposition or criticism. The interviewer wants to understand your thought process, how you approach difficult situations, and how you manage the aftermath of making a tough decision. It's important to demonstrate your ability to make decisions based on logic and rationale, even if they may not be well-received initially. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was leading a team responsible for launching a new software product. During the development phase, we encountered a significant issue with the user interface that would affect the overall user experience.

Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure the product launch met our quality standards and was delivered on time. The team was keen on proceeding with the original launch timeline despite the issue, as they had invested a lot of time in the current design.

Action: After analyzing the situation and consulting with key stakeholders, I made the decision to delay the product launch by two weeks. This decision was unpopular among team members and some stakeholders, as it required additional work and resources. I communicated transparently with the team, explaining the potential long-term benefits of addressing the interface issue now rather than post-launch, which could result in negative customer feedback and potentially higher costs.

Result: Although initially met with resistance, the team understood the rationale behind the decision and worked collaboratively to resolve the interface issue. The delay allowed us to launch a product that was well-received by users, resulting in positive reviews and increased sales. This outcome reinforced the importance of prioritizing product quality and customer satisfaction, even if it means making difficult decisions.