Tell me about a time when communication became an issue when working on a team.
"I worked on a team to solve a problem that could have potential effects on our ability to grow the business and reach our goals. Each person on the team was tasked with a different aspect, such as gathering data and analyzing it. We came together to discuss the results but couldn't seem to agree. We were struggling to listen to each person's opinion. I explained my observation, and I suggested we give each person a chance to talk through their findings and opinions, which helped us take a more collaborative approach. We ultimately went with a strategy that was a combination of several ideas and the flow of communication improved once I brought the issue to light."
"My current company recently went through a merger which has caused a lack of communication between the team because people are flooded with thoughts of job security. I suggested to my department head that we have a team-building event. Gathering everyone together to remind them that we are still a team was beneficial."
Communication issues are common in a team setting and your interviewer wants to know how you handle them. Keep in mind that many roles at British Airways require excellent communication during high-pressure situations where the safety of others is a top priority. Convincing your interviewer that you know what to do in the face of poor communication is key to receiving a job offer. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) to organize your thoughts and take care to keep your response positive and professional.
"I struggled to understand some of the assignments given to me by my manager when I first started my current job. They lacked information regarding timelines and the level of detail required for success, and I noticed a pattern of revisions that was inefficient.
I scheduled a one-on-one with him to discuss the issue and develop an approach that would provide me with the necessary details upfront. He admitted that he often assigns work without thinking through the details and welcomed my feedback and suggestions for how to improve the process. We ultimately found a balance that allowed me to have more detail when available, and to work comfortably under ambiguity when needed."
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