Tell me about a difficult decision you recently made.
"A friend asked if I'd collaborate with them on their thesis. This would've detracted from the work I was putting in on my thesis. I wanted to help, but in the end, it was too much of a sacrifice. I also felt they should be managing their work on their own, and be recognized for their own merits, rather than borrowing from others. So I shared the resources they needed to do it on their own, yet they continued to solicit help instead. They didn't finish their thesis in time, which I thought was unfortunate, and they held it against me. I know we're all responsible for our own actions, but I still feel bad for them and wished I had the where-with-all to help them out. But there's only so much one person can do."
Integrity is one of Accenture's core values, and this question will help determine your fit into their work culture. In any leadership role, tough decisions come with the territory. How a person navigates such terrain can reveal whether a person's integrity guides them.
Answer this question according to your own nature. Evaluate what difficult decisions you've made, and why those decisions were difficult for you. Was disciplinary action required, or did you need to bow out of work for personal reasons, such as a family emergency... Whatever example you offer, outline why it was uncomfortable, how it stands outside of the norm, and the ultimate outcome.
Avoid telling the interviewer what you think they want to hear. Avoid reading into it too much, or misjudging its intentions. You should focus on your nature and your worldview. They're interested in getting to know you. They are trying to recruit the "best of the best," so exhibit the best version of you.
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