Question - What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?
Answer -
Try to gauge the political style of the firm and be guided accordingly. In general, fall back on universal principles of
effective human relations – which in the end, embody the way you would like to be treated in a similar circumstance.
Example: “Good human relations would call for me to go directly to the person and explain the situation, to try to enlist his
help in a constructive, positive solution. If I sensed resistance, I would be as persuasive as I know how to explain the
benefits we can all gain from working together, and the problems we, the company and our customers will experience if we
don’t.”
And what would you do if he still did not change his ways?
ANSWER: “One thing I wouldn’t do is let the problem slide, because it would only get worse and overlooking it would set a bad
precedent. I would try again and again and again, in whatever way I could, to solve the problem, involving wider and wider
circles of people, both above and below the offending executive and including my own boss if necessary, so that everyone
involved can see the rewards for teamwork and the drawbacks of non-cooperation.”
“I might add that I’ve never yet come across a situation that couldn’t be resolved by harnessing others in a determined,
constructive effort.”
You’ve been with your firm a long time. Won’t it be hard switching to a new company ?
To overcome this objection, you must point to the many ways you have grown and adapted to changing conditions at your present
firm. It has not been a static situation. Highlight the different responsibilities you’ve held, the wide array of new
situations you’ve faced and conquered.
As a result, you’ve learned to adapt quickly to whatever is thrown at you, and you thrive on the stimulation of new
challenges.
To further assure the interviewer, describe the similarities between the new position and your prior one. Explain that you
should be quite comfortable working there, since their needs and your skills make a perfect match.