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

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Tell us about a time when you had to effectively communicate with a difficult team member. How did you handle the situation?
Sample answer to the question:
Recently, I had to work with a team member who had a difficult personality. They were often argumentative and resistant to new ideas. To effectively communicate with this team member, I made an effort to understand their perspective and address their concerns. I approached the situation with empathy and patience, actively listening to their grievances and acknowledging their frustrations. I found that by providing clear and logical explanations for my decisions, they became more receptive to my ideas and suggestions. Additionally, I made a point to praise their contributions and recognize their strengths, which helped to build rapport and improve our working relationship. Through open and honest communication, I was able to gain their trust and cooperation, resulting in better collaboration and ultimately, successful project outcomes.
Here is a more solid answer:
Recently, I had to work with a team member who had a difficult personality. They were often argumentative and resistant to new ideas. To effectively communicate with this team member, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to address the issue. During the meeting, I actively listened to their concerns and expressed empathy towards their frustrations. I shared my own perspective, providing clear explanations for my decisions and outlining the benefits of the proposed changes. I also sought their input and invited them to collaborate on finding solutions. By involving them in the decision-making process, I was able to gain their buy-in and foster a sense of ownership in the project. Additionally, I provided ongoing support and guidance, offering constructive feedback and highlighting their strengths. Through consistent communication and a focus on building a positive working relationship, I was able to effectively collaborate with this team member and achieve our shared goals.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provides specific details on how the candidate handled the situation and demonstrates their leadership and management skills. However, it could be improved by discussing the outcome of the situation and the impact of the candidate's communication on team dynamics.
An example of a exceptional answer:
Recently, I had to work with a team member who had a difficult personality. They were often argumentative and resistant to new ideas. To effectively communicate with this team member, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to address the issue. I started by actively listening to their concerns and acknowledging their frustrations. I then shared my own perspective, providing clear explanations for my decisions and outlining the benefits of the proposed changes. I made sure to invite their input and encourage collaboration by asking for their ideas on how to improve our working relationship. Together, we came up with a plan to address the underlying issues and set clear expectations moving forward. I followed up regularly to provide ongoing support and guidance, offering constructive feedback and recognizing their contributions. As a result of this open and empathetic communication, the team member's behavior improved significantly. They became more receptive to new ideas and started actively participating in team discussions. Our working relationship transformed into a productive and collaborative one, leading to improved team dynamics and successful project outcomes.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer includes all the necessary details and demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills. It showcases the candidate's ability to effectively handle a difficult team member and improve team dynamics. It provides a clear outcome of the situation and highlights the positive impact of the candidate's communication.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on past experiences where you have had to communicate with difficult individuals and think about the strategies or techniques that worked well for you.
  • Consider the specific challenges and dynamics of your current or previous team environments and how you would handle difficult team members in those situations.
  • Practice active listening and empathy to better understand the concerns and frustrations of difficult team members.
  • Develop your conflict resolution and negotiation skills to effectively address conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions.
  • Study effective communication techniques and strategies, such as assertiveness, clarity, and non-verbal communication, to enhance your ability to communicate with difficult team members.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Communication Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Leadership and Management Skills

Want content like this in your inbox?
Sign Up for our Newsletter

By clicking "Sign up" you consent and agree to Jobya's Terms & Privacy policies

Related Interview Questions