Our facility recently experienced a merger and subsequent downsizing. Since then, our employee morale has been at an all-time low. How would you improve employee morale if offered the position?
Mergers and subsequent layoffs can severely affect employee morale and cause excessive stress. It is challenging to enter a new job, especially if the workforce is unhappy. How you respond will give the interviewer insight into your communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The interviewer would like to hear how you plan on improving morale if you are hired for the healthcare project manager position.
The interviewer does not want to hear that you will go in heavy-handed and bring employee morale even lower. They want to hear that you will take time to get to know your team, ask about their concerns, and address them, making it a more enjoyable workplace.
"I understand how employee morale could be at an all-time low. I would help improve employee morale by getting to know my team. I would listen to their concerns and involve my team in achieving the organization's vision, making them feel included in the decision-making process. I would lead by example and support my team to help them grow professionally and enhance their confidence and self-esteem. Finally, I would praise my team for their achievements, helping to improve the work center morale."
"First, I need to build trust with my team before morale can improve. They will probably look at me as an outsider and may even identify me as an enemy of the merger. I would introduce myself, explain how I value my team and their work and ask them for suggestions on improving employee morale. Once I allow them to voice their concerns and show them I want to help improve the company culture; they will start trusting me as an ally. I will follow through on any promises I make and reward them for their achievements. I find everyone enjoys being praised for a job well done."
