Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member and how you handled the situation.

Sample answer to the question

I had a situation where I had to work with a team member who was constantly resistant to new ideas. It was challenging because we were working on a project that required us to come up with innovative solutions. To handle the situation, I decided to have a one-on-one conversation with the team member to understand their concerns and perspective. I listened attentively and acknowledged their contributions. I then explained the importance of embracing new ideas and the potential benefits for our project. I also offered support and encouraged them to share their ideas. Gradually, the team member started to open up and became more willing to collaborate. We established a mutual respect and started working together effectively, resulting in successful project outcomes.

A more solid answer

In one of my previous projects, I encountered a challenging situation with a team member who consistently resisted any changes or new ideas. This was particularly concerning as our project required us to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. To address this issue, I took the initiative to have a one-on-one conversation with the team member. I approached the conversation with empathy and a genuine desire to understand their perspective. I actively listened to their concerns and acknowledged the value of their contributions. I then proceeded to explain how embracing new ideas could benefit our project and the team as a whole. I emphasized the importance of collaboration and encouraged them to share their thoughts and suggestions. Through consistent support and open communication, I was able to gradually build trust and rapport with the team member. As a result, they became more receptive to new ideas and actively participated in brainstorming sessions. Our improved collaboration had a positive impact on the team dynamics and ultimately led to successful project outcomes.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides specific details about the project, the actions taken to address the situation, and the impact on the team dynamics. However, it could still benefit from further elaboration on the specific strategies used to build trust and improve collaboration.

An exceptional answer

During a challenging project, I encountered a team member who consistently displayed resistance to new ideas and exhibited a negative attitude. This behavior had a detrimental effect on our team's productivity and cohesion. To address this issue, I took a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to better understand their perspective and concerns. I actively listened and empathized with their frustrations, demonstrating that I valued their opinions. Next, I organized team-building activities to foster a sense of camaraderie and to encourage mutual support among team members. Additionally, I facilitated open discussions during project meetings, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas without judgment. To promote collaboration, I implemented a rotational leadership system, allowing each team member to take charge of different project tasks. This not only empowered team members but also promoted a sense of ownership and responsibility. Over time, I noticed a significant shift in the difficult team member's behavior. Their resistance diminished, and they began actively participating in brainstorming sessions, offering valuable insights. By the end of the project, our team had not only achieved our goals but had also established a strong bond, which continued to benefit future projects.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer includes specific strategies used to address the difficult team member's behavior, such as scheduling one-on-one meetings, organizing team-building activities, facilitating open discussions, and implementing a rotational leadership system. It also highlights the long-term impact on the team dynamics and emphasizes the positive outcomes achieved. It could still be further improved by providing specific examples of team-building activities and open discussions conducted.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on previous experiences when you had to deal with difficult team members and identify the strategies that worked effectively in those situations.
Consider the importance of empathy in understanding the perspectives of difficult team members and brainstorm ways to effectively demonstrate empathy.
Think about how you can create an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages open communication and collaboration.
Research team-building activities that can help foster positive relationships among team members.
Practice explaining the positive outcomes achieved through handling difficult team members and how it impacted the overall team dynamics.

What interviewers are evaluating

Communication
Teamwork