Describe a situation where you had to deal with a challenging employee or team member.

Sample answer to the question

In a previous role, I had to deal with a challenging team member who consistently missed deadlines and had a negative attitude. I addressed the issue by having a one-on-one meeting with the team member to understand their concerns and reasons for their behavior. I offered support and guidance, providing additional resources and training to help them improve their skills and meet deadlines. I also implemented a system of regular check-ins and progress updates to ensure accountability. Over time, their performance and attitude improved significantly, and they became a valuable member of the team.

A more solid answer

In a previous role as a project manager, I encountered a challenging team member who was resistant to feedback and constantly disrupted team dynamics. To address this issue, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to understand their concerns and perspective. During the meeting, I actively listened and empathized with their frustrations, which helped to build trust and rapport. I then provided specific examples of their disruptive behavior and its impact on the team's productivity, raising their awareness of the issue. Together, we developed an action plan to address their behavior, which included additional training and coaching sessions. I also facilitated team-building exercises and encouraged open communication to improve collaboration. As a result of these efforts, the team member's behavior gradually improved, and they became an engaged and valuable contributor to the team.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details and examples of how the candidate dealt with a challenging team member. It demonstrates their leadership and problem-solving abilities by outlining a step-by-step approach to addressing the issue and implementing solutions. However, the answer could still benefit from additional examples or metrics to showcase the candidate's impact on the team's performance and overall success.

An exceptional answer

In my previous role as an Operations Manager, I faced a challenging situation with a team member who constantly missed deadlines and had a negative attitude, impacting the team's morale and productivity. To address this, I first conducted a performance analysis to identify the root causes of their performance issues. I discovered that they were overwhelmed with their workload and lacked the necessary skills for certain tasks. Utilizing my strong interpersonal skills, I had an open and honest conversation with the team member to discuss their challenges and concerns. Together, we developed a personalized development plan that included additional training, delegation of tasks, and mentorship from a senior team member. I also implemented a reward system to recognize and motivate their progress. As a result of these interventions, the team member's performance drastically improved. They consistently met deadlines, demonstrated a positive attitude, and even took the initiative to mentor new team members. This experience taught me the importance of empathy, personalized coaching, and creating a supportive work environment to foster growth and overcome challenges.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a comprehensive and detailed account of how the candidate dealt with a challenging team member. It demonstrates their exceptional leadership, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and team management skills. The answer includes specific steps taken and the impact of those actions on the team member's performance and the overall team dynamics. The candidate also reflects on the lessons learned from the experience. Overall, the exceptional answer effectively showcases the candidate's proficiency in handling challenging situations and their ability to create a positive and supportive work environment.

How to prepare for this question

1. Reflect on past experiences working with challenging employees or team members and the strategies you used to address the situations.
2. Familiarize yourself with effective communication techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and leadership principles.
3. Think about how you can provide specific examples and metrics to demonstrate your success in managing challenging employees or team members.
4. Consider the importance of empathy, active listening, and creating a supportive work environment in resolving conflicts or addressing performance issues.
5. Practice articulating your experiences and solutions in a concise and compelling manner during mock interviews.

What interviewers are evaluating

Leadership
Interpersonal communication
Problem-solving
Team management