If you took an unpopular decision, please tell me about it

Question Analysis

This behavioral interview question is designed to assess your decision-making skills, leadership, and ability to stand by a decision even if it was not popular. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle opposition and whether you can justify your actions based on logic and rationale. They want to see if you can remain committed to a decision despite potential pushback and if you can communicate effectively to persuade others.

Answer

Situation: At my previous job as a project manager, we were working on a critical project with a tight deadline. During the project, I noticed that the current approach was leading to inefficiencies and potential delays.

Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure the project stayed on track, which meant making decisions that might not be popular with the team but were necessary for the project's success.

Action: After careful analysis, I decided to reorganize the team's workflow. This decision was unpopular as it required the team to adapt to a new way of working and put in extra hours initially to get accustomed to the new process. I held a meeting to explain the reasoning behind the decision, emphasizing the long-term benefits and how it would prevent potential setbacks. I also provided additional support and resources to help the team transition smoothly.

Result: Although there was initial resistance, the new workflow improved efficiency, and we managed to meet the project deadline successfully. The team acknowledged that the changes led to better collaboration and a more streamlined process. This experience reinforced the importance of making tough decisions and the value of clear communication and support to gain team buy-in.