Question: Describe a time when you made an unpopular decision that affected other people. Why did you have to make the decision and how did you handle the reactions resulting from it?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Tell us about an unpopular decision that you made recently. What thought process did you follow before making it? How did your colleagues or clients react and how did you deal with their reaction?
Tell us your recent experience where your decision has been rejected. How did you come to that decision? What was the impact to you and your team and how you handle it?

Follow-up questions:

Why did you make the decision?
What made you think that you had to make this decision?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Critical Thinking,Social – Social Perceptiveness,Systems – Judgment and Decision Making

Abilities:

Cognitive – Problem Sensitivity (Problem Recognition)

Other Factors:

Big 5 – Agreeableness

Work Activity (Task):

Information Input – Gathering Information,Interacting with Others – Change Management,Interacting with Others – Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships,Interacting with Others – Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (Informing),Interacting with Others – Monitoring and Controlling Resources,Interacting with Others – Performance Management (Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates),Interacting with Others – Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (Conflict Management),Mental Processes – Analyzing Data or Information,Mental Processes – Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work Context (Person-Job/Team/Org Fit):

Interpersonal Relationships – Coordinate or Lead Others,Interpersonal Relationships – Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People,Interpersonal Relationships – Frequency of Conflict Situations,Interpersonal Relationships – Relationship With Subordinates,Interpersonal Relationships – Relationship With Supervisor,Interpersonal Relationships – Responsibility for Outcomes and Results of Others,Job Structure – Consequence of Error,Job Structure – Freedom to Make Decisions,Job Structure – Frequency of Decision Making,Job Structure – Level of Responsibility (Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Organization Results)

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Adaptability/Flexibility,Analytical Thinking,Approachability,Assertiveness/Courage,Compassion/Concern for Others,Independence,Initiative

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

Look for their approach in decision-making process, and handling conflict with others.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If they are afraid of taking actions that might affect other people. If they force other people into submitting to their decisions and opinions.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: https://www.totaljobs.com/advice/most-common-competency-based-interview-questions