Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member. How did you handle the situation?
Theme: Conflict Resolution, Team Management Role: Technical Project Manager Function: Technology
Interview Question for Technical Project Manager: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Technical Project Manager: Manage technology projects from inception to completion. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Conflict Resolution, Team Management with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Context: Provide a brief overview of the project and the team member's role
- Issue: Explain the specific problem or difficulty you encountered with the team member
- Communication: Describe how you approached the team member to address the issue
- Active listening: Explain how you actively listened to the team member's concerns or perspective
- Collaboration: Discuss how you worked together with the team member to find a solution
- Conflict resolution: Explain the steps you took to resolve the conflict or improve the situation
- Results: Share the outcome of your efforts and the impact on the team and project
- Reflection: Discuss what you learned from the experience and how it influenced your approach to managing difficult team members in the future
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Conflict resolution skills: Assessing how you handle difficult team members and resolve conflicts within a team
- Leadership abilities: Evaluating your ability to manage and guide team members effectively
- Communication skills: Understanding how you communicate and address issues with team members
- Problem-solving skills: Assessing your approach to resolving challenges and finding solutions within a team
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Blaming the team member: Avoid blaming or badmouthing the team member. Focus on the actions you took to address the situation
- Lack of empathy: Avoid showing a lack of empathy towards the team member. Demonstrate understanding and willingness to listen to their perspective
- Inability to resolve conflicts: Avoid mentioning that you were unable to resolve the conflict or that it escalated further. Highlight your conflict resolution skills
- Lack of communication: Avoid mentioning that you ignored or avoided communicating with the difficult team member. Emphasize the importance of open and honest communication
- Micromanagement: Avoid mentioning that you micromanaged the team member. Instead, focus on providing guidance and support while allowing them to take ownership of their work