Think about a problem you tried to solve but couldn’t.
"I was spearheading two separate projects, and took on a third, convinced I could deliver all three of them on time. This third project was very involved, more so than I expected, and it slowed me down. The deadline approached, the first two projects were close to being done, but the third was only halfway there. I realized I was going to either miss all three deadlines, or just one if I abandoned the third project and reprioritized the first two. So I passed off the third project. I thought I could do anything. But I realized it was better to do a few things well, as opposed to more at a lower quality of work. Since then, I'm conscientious in striking a balance between over-performing versus biting off more than I can chew. It's important for one to know their own limits."
The interviewer wants to know how you deal with defeat, and wants to gauge your ability to take responsibility for your own actions. They're looking for someone who analytically examines their setbacks and learns from their failures so as not to repeat them. Using such lessons to develop and implement systems towards streamlining work and ensuring repeated success are attractive traits in a leader. A red flag would be someone who deflects blame, attributing such failures to others or to circumstances beyond their control, representing no lessons learned. Such behavior is more likely to repeat mistakes, resulting in repeated costly setbacks.
With the example you offer, turn your failures into success. Focus on the positives. If you grew from the experience and had positive takeaways, such as analytically examining what went wrong, and learning what you can do next time to succeed, then the glass is half full of silver linings. Attitude is everything.
Accenture provides services and solutions to more than 40 industries in five industry groups. Accenture focuses on delivering its industry expertise by tailoring innovative solutions to each client. They're looking for candidates who are always eager to learn more, enabling them to deliver a thorough understanding of their industry's evolution, business issues, and applicable technologies to their clients.
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