How to Answer: Tell me about a time that you had an issue with an employee during training. How did you approach and resolve the problem?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Training and Development Manager job interview.
9. Tell me about a time that you had an issue with an employee during training. How did you approach and resolve the problem?
What You Need to Know
As a Training and Development Manager, you may encounter an employee or trainee who is unwilling to cooperate. The interviewer wants to see how you handle disputes and conflict in the workplace. Demonstrate that you can address issues as they arise without getting emotional or being disruptive to others. Show off your ability to keep your reactions professional while also honoring the policies and procedures of the company for whom you work.
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
Focus Your Answer On
Share a specific anecdote from a past training experience where an employee exhibited disengagement, confusion, or resistance during the learning process. Provide brief context on the program topic and audience to set the stage.
Describe observable signs you noticed indicating the participant was struggling - things like lack of eye contact, not completing activities, or disruptive sidebar conversations. Convey the empathy and attentiveness applied to detect their discomfort quickly.
Emphasize the proactive steps taken to understand root causes and tailor support to their needs. Strategies might include:
1. Pulling them aside privately to check in with open-ended questions
2. Restating concepts using relatable analogies from their role
3. Pairing them with a buddy for guidance in processing new information
4. Providing a job aid or additional resource to review independently
Underscore your commitment to upholding a safe, supportive learning environment where questions and coaching dialogue are encouraged. Share how you reinforced this tone through facilitator messaging and modeling vulnerability yourself.
Lastly, quantify the positive outcomes achieved through targeted resolution - perhaps their increased engagement score, improved assessment results, or gratitude expressed for feeling seen. Underscore how your emotional intelligence and instructional agility transformed your mindset from frustration to readiness for applying new skills eagerly.
Written by William Rosser on March 4th, 2024
1st Answer Example
"Last month, I was delivering an employee workshop related to diversity and inclusion. One of the attendees was very rude to me and even interrupted my class multiple times to crack inappropriate jokes. I stopped the class and asked all of the attendees to take a 10-minute break. I requested that the disruptive individual stay behind, along with the HR partner who was present. We told the individual that they would be written up for insubordination and that the formal report would be submitted to their direct supervisor later that day. Then, we sent this person home for the day. The remainder of the workshop went perfectly. After the training, a few group members even thanked us for recognizing the issue and nipping it in the bud. They let us know that this person's negativity impacted their ability to absorb the information I was providing. It was not easy for me to remove the individual from the situation, as I always want to give people the benefit of the doubt. However, given that the company had been struggling with toxic behavior in the workplace, I felt my response was appropriate."
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"During a project management fundamentals course, I noticed one participant continually multitasking on their laptop, skipping activities, and giving one-word responses when I called on the group. Concerned their disengagement would negatively impact team assignments, I asked them to stay back during break.
Privately, I relied on active listening and open-ended questions to uncover that as a seasoned PM, they felt the content was too rudimentary. Acknowledging their advanced expertise, I invited them to co-facilitate an upcoming case study they had worked on. This real-world scenario ignited a rich discussion on complex stakeholder dynamics often skimmed in generic courses.
By designing a spotlight moment for them to shine, their entire demeanor shifted from apathetic to energized. They began eagerly coaching peers and sharing templates during breakouts afterward. Recognizing them as an asset versus an adversary empowered us both.
Post-session, their evaluation championed the course adjustments I made flexing delivery style to incorporate class experience levels more dynamically. Their feedback shaped future improvements building in story sharing for seasoned PMs while still upskilling newer hires. This revealed my emotional intelligence adapting facilitation beyond a script."
Written by William Rosser on March 4th, 2024
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