How do you react when a team member presents an innovative idea to you?

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Answer Example

As a manager and a mindful leader, you must show your team members that you value their input and ideas. The interviewer wants to know how you respond to new ideas, foster creativity in your team members, and nurture new ideas from your team members. Perhaps you hold brainstorming sessions with your team members or encourage mind-mapping techniques. Discuss your approach to recognizing others' innovative ideas. Express that, although you understand that not every idea is a winner, you still respect your team members' thoughts and value their efforts.

"Quite some time ago, I learned the POINt technique, developed by Bob Moore, a former Pfizer executive. POINt is an acronym for Pluses, Opportunities, Issues, and New thinking. First, I praise the idea and look for the value that the idea brings. Next, I consider the opportunities or benefits that could come to fruition if we implemented the idea. Part of being a discerning manager is to still 'poke holes' in ideas but with respect, of course. A company still needs to be profitable and take a calculated risk, so I will consider some challenges we could face when implementing the idea. Through new thinking, the team and I can approach these challenges and find solutions. It may even turn out that although the original idea may not be a go, it can be a catalyst to an entirely new concept that we can successfully implement."

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How to Answer: How do you react when a team member presents an innovative idea to you?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Manager job interview.

3. How do you react when a team member presents an innovative idea to you?

How to Answer

As a manager and a mindful leader, you must show your team members that you value their input and ideas. The interviewer wants to know how you respond to new ideas, foster creativity in your team members, and nurture new ideas from your team members. Perhaps you hold brainstorming sessions with your team members or encourage mind-mapping techniques. Discuss your approach to recognizing others' innovative ideas. Express that, although you understand that not every idea is a winner, you still respect your team members' thoughts and value their efforts.

Written by Rachelle Enns on April 2nd, 2021

Answer Example

"Quite some time ago, I learned the POINt technique, developed by Bob Moore, a former Pfizer executive. POINt is an acronym for Pluses, Opportunities, Issues, and New thinking. First, I praise the idea and look for the value that the idea brings. Next, I consider the opportunities or benefits that could come to fruition if we implemented the idea. Part of being a discerning manager is to still 'poke holes' in ideas but with respect, of course. A company still needs to be profitable and take a calculated risk, so I will consider some challenges we could face when implementing the idea. Through new thinking, the team and I can approach these challenges and find solutions. It may even turn out that although the original idea may not be a go, it can be a catalyst to an entirely new concept that we can successfully implement."

Written by Rachelle Enns on April 2nd, 2021

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