Question - Tell me about something you did – or failed to do – that you now feel a little ashamed of ?
Answer -
As with faults and weaknesses, never confess a regret. But don’t seem as if you’re stonewalling either.
Best strategy: Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations.
Example: Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you. Then say to hr, “You know, I really can’t think of
anything.” (Pause again, then add): “I would add that as a general management principle, I’ve found that the best way to
avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place. I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard. At
the end of each day, I mentally review the day’s events and conversations to take a second look at the people and
developments I’m involved with and do a double check of what they’re likely to be feeling. Sometimes I’ll see things that do
need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five minute chat in someone’s office to make sure we’re clear on
things…whatever.”
“I also like to make each person feel like a member of an elite team, like the Boston Celtics or LA Lakers in their prime.
I’ve found that if you let each team member know you expect excellence in their performance…if you work hard to set an
example yourself…and if you let people know you appreciate and respect their feelings, you wind up with a highly motivated
group, a team that’s having fun at work because they’re striving for excellence rather than brooding over slights or
regrets.”