Tell me about a time communication became an issue when working on a team.
Clear communication is essential in the workplace. Yet, effective communication is a skill that not everybody has mastered. A highly skilled communicator is a highly desired asset. Some traits of a highly skilled communicator are an ability to adapt their communication style to that of less skilled communicators, non-defensive communication, mirroring, active listening, and empathy. These skills can prevent rework, boost morale, and enhance team collaboration. Offer an example of where your communication skills in the workplace shined.
"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 and analyzing data. 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 suggested we give each person a chance to talk through their findings and opinions, which helped us take a more collaborative approach."
"My current company recently went through a merger which has caused a lack of communication among the team. I suggested to my department head that we have a team-building event. Gathering everyone to remind them that we are still a team was very helpful."
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Anonymous Answer
I once had a time during an Air Force Cadet camp where we had to build a fire so that we could cook our food and one of the cadets was deaf which made communication a bit of an issue. To overcome this issue, I wrote everything I wanted to say on paper, and that is how we communicated. In the end, we built our fire, and everyone got to eat.
Rachelle's Feedback
This answer is unique. Memorable stories like this one are what will set you apart from the other candidates. Good job.
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