Question: Describe, in your opinion, the most difficult team you ever had to lead or manage in the past. What were the issues and how did you handle the team?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

What is the toughest group that you have ever had to lead? What were the obstacles? How did you handle the situation?

Follow-up questions:

How effective was your approach?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Critical Thinking,Basic – Monitoring (Making observations of self and environment),Social – Coordination (Adjusting one’s own actions in relation to others),Social – Social Perceptiveness

Other Factors:

Management Level,Personality-Job Fit,Personality-Organization Fit,Self-Awareness

Work Activity (Task):

Interacting with Others – Performance Management (Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates),Mental Processes – Judging the Value of Things, Services, or People

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

Interpersonal Relationships – Coordinate or Lead Others

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Achievement/Effort (Action/Result Orientation),Adaptability/Flexibility,Analytical Thinking,Leadership/Command,Patience

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

The candidate’s critical and logical thinking.
The candidate’s leadership skills.

Red Flags to Watch For:

The candidate’s poor critical and illogical thinking.
The candidate’s poor leadership skills.

Sample Answer:

The most difficult team I have handled in the past was a group of fresh graduates who were idealistic. Aside from mentoring them, I had to open their eyes to the realities of the corporate world. It’s a matter of being transparent and clear when it comes to goal settings.

Question Source: https://www.zippia.com/employer/behavioural-interview-questions/