Use this guide to evaluate the soft skills that drive collaboration and execution. Each question includes suggested follow‑ups and what strong answers often include.

Communication

Tell me about a time you had to explain a complex idea to a non-expert.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Starts with audience needs and outcomes
• Uses simple language, analogies, and checks for understanding
• Follows up with artifacts (notes, Loom, summary) and measures impact

Describe a communication miss. What did you change afterward?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Owns the miss and impact
• Adapts channel/level of detail
• Evidence of improved outcomes later

Collaboration & Teamwork

Share an example of co-creating a solution across functions.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Clarifies roles and success criteria
• Invites diverse perspectives; resolves disagreements constructively
• Documents decisions and next steps

How do you include quieter voices in meetings?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Structured rounds, async docs, and written input
• Rotates facilitation; captures actions and owners
• Recognizes contributions visibly

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking

Walk me through how you diagnosed a tricky issue with limited information.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Frames the problem; states hypothesis and assumptions
• Runs small experiments or gathers quick data
• Communicates risks and decision criteria

Give an example of challenging a prevailing assumption.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Uses respectful inquiry and evidence
• Explores alternatives and trade-offs
• Outcome shows learning or better decision

Adaptability & Learning

Tell me about a time you had to learn something fast to deliver.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Sets a focused learning plan with deadlines
• Seeks mentors/resources; prototypes to learn
• Applies learning to achieve results

What’s a belief or approach you’ve updated recently? Why?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Evidence-based change; intellectual humility
• Communicates the shift and impact
• Incorporates into team practices

Emotional Intelligence & Empathy

Describe a moment you recognized and adjusted to someone’s emotional state at work.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Notices cues; asks open questions without assuming
• Balances task with care; follows up later
• Improves trust and outcomes

How do you handle receiving tough feedback?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Listens and paraphrases; avoids defensiveness
• Extracts specifics and action plan
• Shares evidence of change over time

Time Management & Prioritization

How do you protect focus while staying responsive?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Uses a visible system (calendar/kanban)
• Batches communication; sets SLAs and boundaries
• Negotiates scope/timing when needed

Describe a time you missed a deadline. What changed afterward?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Owns root cause; communicates early
• Implements mechanism to prevent repeat
• Shows improved predictability later

Conflict Resolution & Negotiation

Tell me about a conflict you helped resolve.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Separates people from problem; seeks interests
• Uses joint fact-finding and clear decision criteria
• Documents agreements; follows up on behavior change

How do you negotiate when incentives differ?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Finds shared outcomes; offers options and trade-offs
• Escalates with context when needed
• Maintains relationships while protecting value

Ownership & Accountability

Share a mistake you made that impacted others. What did you do next?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Clear ownership and remediation
• Transparent communication and prevention
• Evidence the fix worked

When do you escalate versus solve independently?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Considers reversibility, scope, and risk
• Keeps stakeholders informed
• Defines explicit triggers

Influence & Stakeholder Management

Describe a decision you influenced without authority.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Pre-reads and 1:1 alignment
• Uses data, customer signals, and narrative
• Records decision and outcomes

How do you tailor your style to different audiences?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Adjusts detail and format (execs vs. peers)
• Uses visuals or frameworks appropriately
• Checks for understanding and next steps

Presentation & Storytelling

Give an example of a high-stakes presentation you led.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Crisp narrative with clear ask
• Addresses risks/alternatives; handles Q&A
• Follow-through and measured impact

What techniques do you use to keep audiences engaged?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Hook, structure, and signposting
• Examples/visuals; interaction points
• Closes with actions and owners

Creativity & Curiosity

What’s a small experiment you ran that taught you something useful?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Hypothesis, metric, and cheap test
• Outcome—positive or negative—led to change
• Shares learning with others

Describe a time you connected ideas from different domains to solve a problem.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Shows breadth of inputs and synthesis
• Explains why it worked; impact on outcome
• Encourages team to cross-pollinate

Scenario Exercises (Short)

A cross-functional partner keeps changing requirements late. What do you do?

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Clarify success criteria and change policy
• Define decision deadlines; propose phased plan
• Escalate with options if needed

Two teammates disagree on approach and it’s blocking progress. Facilitate a 20‑minute resolution plan.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• List facts and decision criteria
• Surface interests; explore options
• Decide, document, and follow up

You have three urgent requests and limited capacity. Prioritize and communicate your plan.

Follow-ups: What was the context? Who were the stakeholders? What options did you consider? How did you measure impact? What would you do differently?

What good looks like:

• Value/effort matrix with dependencies
• Stakeholder updates and risks
• Commitments and review time

Red Flags

• Vague stories; no concrete behaviors or outcomes
• Blames others; low ownership or learning
• Over-index on meetings; poor async habits
• Dismissive of feedback or diverse perspectives
• Heroics over systems; burns out self/others

Evaluation Rubric (Anchor Examples)

• 4 – Excellent: Clear, collaborative, thoughtful, adaptable; demonstrates measured impact and learning loops.
• 3 – Strong: Solid behaviors with minor gaps in consistency or measurement.
• 2 – Mixed: Some strengths, but inconsistent communication, prioritization, or empathy.
• 1 – Weak: Generic answers, low self-awareness, or inability to collaborate effectively.