You are in a meeting. Your manager blames you for underperforming in front of everyone attending the meeting. You disagree with their assessment and their approach. Concerned for your reputation, you ask to talk to them in private…
There is no question that in this scenario, the manager's conduct would be considered unprofessional. Blaming a member of the team for underperforming in a group setting in front of their peers could easily be considered public shaming. So the conduct should be the topic. Asking to talk to them in private to conduct this conversation would be considered leading by example. Informing the manager that in a situation where a leader publicly shames one member of the team in front of others informs every other member of the team this could happen to them as well. This alone can poorly impact morale, negatively impact productivity, and could cost the manager or team leader credibility. This should be the focus, where coaching or managing up exemplifies your scope of the big-picture, shows off your leadership skills, and gives you an opportunity to advertise your high EQ and your confidence. Try not to take this personality. Your conduct in this situation is what will either truly restore or compromise your credibility. Now the manager whose conduct in the meeting was inappropriate has to work on restoring their credibility in front of the team.
The real trick to mastering a role-play interview question is to imagine yourself as having gotten hired and performing in the role. You should feel confident in your abilities and excited to prove your worth. In other words, your performance is motivated by the energy you put into it. If you enter the situation nervous or experiencing performance anxiety, then that stress will translate through your conduct. Therefore, try to decompress and find your confidence before the interview. If you can, amp yourself up physically, if you are of able body. Do some fast physical exercises. Go into a private space with a mirror, look yourself in the eye, and say some self-affirmations to yourself. Stretch your arms up high, stretch your back, and try to make yourself as big as possible. Research the body language of someone who is confident and relaxed in a seated position. Practice those positions. Aligning the words you say with the body language you convey will go a long way towards delivering a successful role-play.
This scenario will probably evaluate you on your self-control and composure, which will speak to your emotional intelligence and your ability to govern your own emotions. It will test your communication skills and your ability to speak non-defensively, objectifying the situation rather than singling out any one person, which is the big challenge here. It will test your problem-solving skills, and your ability to discern facts from opinions or misunderstandings. It will evaluate your ability to develop yourself, your skills, and whether you easily identify growth opportunities, are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, and are quick to hold yourself accountable for the actions you took, or the actions you promised to take, while staying true to your word and your integrity. It will test your flexibility and your adaptability, and if you adjust your approach and your communication style. Lastly, it will test how consistent you are in your responses, your approach, and your overall handling of the situation.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I would make it clear to the manager that I didn't like his attitude first because he blamed me in front of everyone, which made me feel ashamed and humiliated, and second because I disagreed with what he was accusing me of. I would explain that all my actions were thinking about the good of the company and that no employee deserves to be treated the way he treated me. Finally, I would advise that the next time he has something to complain about my job performance, he should come and talk to me privately, as that is how good managers act.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice job! Just be careful not to come across as too confrontational. Emphasize that you want to understand their perspective and why they are making these accusations. Talk about listening to their side too.
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