Tell me about a time where you were unpopular thanks to a decision you imposed on your team

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your leadership skills, decision-making ability, and how you handle conflict or unpopularity in a team setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding your capacity to make tough decisions that may not be well-received by everyone, and how you navigate the aftermath of such decisions. This involves assessing your communication, reasoning, and ability to maintain team morale despite dissent.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was working on a high-stakes project with a tight deadline. We were using a methodology that many team members were comfortable with, but it was proving inefficient for the project’s unique requirements.

Task: As the project lead, I had the responsibility to ensure we met our deadlines without compromising on quality. After evaluating our progress and consulting with key stakeholders, it became clear that we needed to switch to a more agile approach, which was unfamiliar to some team members.

Action: I called a team meeting to explain the situation and the reasons behind the decision to switch methodologies. I understood that this change would be met with resistance, so I made sure to thoroughly explain the benefits and offer support and training to ease the transition.

Result: Initially, the decision was unpopular, and I faced significant pushback. However, over time, the team adjusted to the new methodology, and it resulted in improved efficiency and a successful project completion ahead of schedule. By maintaining open communication and being available to address concerns, I was able to gradually win the team’s support and trust.