Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult interdisciplinary team member. How did you handle it?

I had to work with a difficult interdisciplinary team member during a research project on the effects of diving on the cardiovascular system. This team member, let's call him John, had a very different approach to the project and often clashed with the rest of the team. To handle this, I first tried to understand John's perspective and his concerns. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with him to discuss his ideas and address any issues he had. I actively listened to his opinions and made an effort to find common ground. We collaborated on finding a middle ground that incorporated both his ideas and the team's goals. This helped to build trust and improve communication within the team. Additionally, I suggested organizing regular team meetings to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions. Through open and respectful communication, we were able to overcome the difficulties and successfully complete the project.

I had to work with a difficult interdisciplinary team member during a research project on the effects of diving on the cardiovascular system. This team member, John, had a different approach to the project and often clashed with the rest of the team. To handle this, I first scheduled a one-on-one meeting with John to understand his perspective and address any concerns he had. During the meeting, I actively listened to his opinions and made an effort to find common ground. We discussed the project goals and identified areas where his ideas could be incorporated without compromising the overall objectives. This approach helped build trust and improved communication within the team. Additionally, I suggested organizing regular team meetings to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions. By encouraging open and respectful communication, we were able to overcome the difficulties and successfully complete the project. This experience taught me the importance of effective collaboration and problem-solving in interdisciplinary teams.

The solid answer provides more specific details about the candidate's approach to handling the difficult team member, including scheduling a one-on-one meeting, actively listening, finding common ground, and suggesting regular team meetings. The evaluation areas are addressed with more depth and demonstration of skills. However, the answer could benefit from further elaboration on the impact and outcome of the project.

I had the opportunity to work with a challenging interdisciplinary team member, John, during a research project on the effects of diving on the cardiovascular system. John had a different perspective and often clashed with the rest of the team, which posed significant challenges to our collaboration. To address this, I took a proactive approach by organizing a team-building workshop facilitated by an external professional. This workshop provided a safe space for team members to express their concerns and differences openly, fostering understanding and empathy among team members. I also implemented a project management tool to enhance communication and task delegation within the team. Additionally, I recognized the importance of individual strengths and delegated tasks according to each team member's expertise, including leveraging John's unique insights in specific project components. This approach not only improved team dynamics but also enhanced the quality of our research outcomes. Through open and transparent communication, we were able to overcome the initial difficulties and work cohesively towards achieving our research goals. This experience taught me valuable lessons in conflict resolution, effective collaboration, and maximizing diverse perspectives within interdisciplinary teams.

The exceptional answer goes beyond the solid answer by demonstrating additional steps taken to address the challenges posed by the difficult team member. It highlights the candidate's proactive approach in organizing a team-building workshop and implementing a project management tool. The impact and outcome of the project are emphasized, showcasing the positive effect of improved team dynamics on the research outcomes. The answer also emphasizes the candidate's growth in conflict resolution, effective collaboration, and leveraging diverse perspectives. However, it could further elaborate on specific results achieved through the enhanced collaboration.