Tell me about a time when you had to handle a difficult team member who resisted project goals. How did you address the situation?

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Tell me about a time when you had to handle a difficult team member who resisted project goals. How did you address the situation?
Sample answer to the question:
I once had a difficult team member who was resistant to the project goals. We were working on implementing a new healthcare IT system, and this team member was not fully on board with the changes it would bring. To address the situation, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with them to understand their concerns and perspective. I actively listened and acknowledged their worries while emphasizing the benefits of the project. I also provided them with additional training and resources to help them adapt to the new system. By addressing their concerns and providing support, I was able to gain their trust and commitment to the project goals.
Here is a more solid answer:
In my role as a Healthcare IT Project Manager, I encountered a challenging team member who resisted project goals during the implementation of a new healthcare IT system. I immediately recognized the importance of addressing this issue to ensure the success of the project. First, I scheduled a private meeting with the team member to understand their concerns and perspective. I actively listened to their frustrations, acknowledged their worries, and empathized with their resistance to change. By showing understanding and empathy, I was able to establish trust and open communication. I then explained the positive impact of the project and how it aligned with the organization's goals. To help the team member overcome their resistance, I provided additional training and resources tailored to their needs. I also involved them in decision-making processes and sought their input to make them feel valued and engaged. As a result of these efforts, the team member gradually started embracing the project goals and actively participated in the implementation. By addressing their concerns, providing support, and fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to overcome the initial resistance and successfully achieve the project objectives.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provides more specific details and examples to demonstrate the candidate's leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities. It showcases the candidate's ability to address the situation effectively by establishing trust, actively listening, providing support, involving the team member in decision-making, and fostering a collaborative environment. However, it can still be improved by providing more quantifiable outcomes or metrics to showcase the success of the approach.
An example of a exceptional answer:
During the implementation of a new healthcare IT system, I encountered a challenging team member who strongly resisted the project goals. They expressed their concerns openly and influenced others to share their skepticism. Recognizing the criticality of the situation, I took immediate action. Firstly, I conducted an in-depth analysis to understand the root causes of their resistance. This analysis revealed underlying fear of job displacement and lack of clarity on the benefits of the new system. Armed with this information, I developed a comprehensive communication plan to address these concerns. I organized regular team meetings to provide transparent updates on project progress and shared success stories from other organizations that had implemented similar systems. This helped to alleviate their fears and build credibility. Additionally, I collaborated with HR to provide targeted training to address any knowledge gaps and ensure a smooth transition. I also assigned a mentor from the project team to work closely with the resistant team member, providing continuous guidance and support. As a result of these efforts, the team member not only embraced the project goals but also became a strong advocate for the new system. Furthermore, the project was successfully implemented within the set deadlines and achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency and patient care.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by providing specific examples and actions taken to address the difficult team member. It showcases the candidate's exceptional problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills. The answer demonstrates their ability to conduct a thorough analysis, develop a comprehensive communication plan, collaborate with HR, provide targeted training, and assign a mentor to help the team member overcome their resistance. The answer also highlights the measurable outcomes achieved as a result of their approach, such as the successful implementation of the project and the improvements in operational efficiency and patient care.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on past experiences where you have dealt with difficult team members or individuals resistant to project goals. Identify the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved.
  • Familiarize yourself with common reasons for resistance to change and ways to address them effectively.
  • Develop your communication and active listening skills to ensure effective communication with team members.
  • Sharpen your problem-solving abilities by practicing analyzing complex situations and developing appropriate solutions.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest healthcare IT trends, regulations, and standards to better understand the challenges and potential resistance associated with implementing new systems.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Leadership Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Problem-Solving Abilities

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