INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member. How did you handle the situation?

Sample answer to the question

I once had a difficult team member on a project I was managing. This person had a negative attitude and often caused conflicts within the team. To handle the situation, I first took the time to understand their perspective and reasons behind their behavior. I then scheduled a one-on-one meeting with them to address the issues and find a resolution. During the meeting, I actively listened to their concerns and provided them with constructive feedback on how their behavior was impacting the team's dynamics. I emphasized the importance of collaboration and teamwork and offered my support in finding a way to improve their attitude and work relationships. By approaching the situation with empathy and clear communication, we were able to resolve the conflicts and create a more positive work environment.

A more solid answer

I once had a team member who consistently demonstrated a negative attitude and was resistant to working collaboratively. Realizing the negative impact this behavior had on team morale and productivity, I took immediate action. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to understand their concerns and perspective. During the meeting, I actively listened to their frustrations and acknowledged their feelings. I then provided specific examples of how their behavior was detrimental to the team's goals and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive work environment. I worked with them to develop an action plan for improving their attitude and communication skills. This included providing resources for personal development and offering to mentor them. Through consistent communication and support, we were able to transform their behavior into a more positive and collaborative one, resulting in improved team dynamics and productivity.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer includes more specific details and examples of how the candidate effectively communicated and built a strong team relationship. However, it could be further improved by providing quantifiable results or specific outcomes of the improved team dynamics.

An exceptional answer

In one project, I encountered a team member who had a difficult personality and displayed a lack of commitment to the project's success. This individual often missed deadlines and would frequently clash with other team members, causing tension within the team. To address the situation, I first scheduled a private meeting with the team member to discuss their concerns and determine the root causes of their behavior. I discovered that the team member felt overwhelmed and undervalued, which contributed to their lack of motivation. With this understanding, I modified their workload and provided additional support to help them meet their responsibilities. I also organized team-building activities to foster stronger relationships among team members. Additionally, I implemented a performance tracking system to monitor progress and provide feedback to the team member regularly. Through consistent coaching, support, and open communication, the team member's attitude and performance improved significantly. They became more engaged and began meeting deadlines consistently, ultimately contributing to the project's success.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes beyond the solid answer by providing more specific details on how the candidate handled the difficult team member. The answer demonstrates their ability to address the root causes of the team member's behavior, implement effective strategies to support their improvement, and drive overall project success. It also highlights the candidate's ability to create a supportive and collaborative work environment.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past experiences with difficult team members and consider the strategies you used to handle the situations effectively.
Practice storytelling techniques to ensure you can clearly describe the situation, actions taken, and outcomes achieved.
Highlight your ability to understand and empathize with team members' concerns and perspectives, as well as your skill in providing constructive feedback and support.
Demonstrate your commitment to creating a positive work environment and fostering strong team relationships.
Prepare examples of how you have successfully resolved conflicts within a team and improved team dynamics.

What interviewers are evaluating

Effective communication and presentation skills
Strong team-building and people management skills