Bias for Action

Your Qualities

• I am "NOT AFRAID" to "MAKE DECISIONS" & "TAKE ACTIONS".

• I can work on a very SHORT DEADLINE.

• I can work with "LIMITED DATA", and can take "CALCULATED RISKS"

• I am capable of taking "FAST DECISION" when needed

• I can "THINK STRATEGICALLY" but "ACT QUICKLY"

• I do not get stuck in "ANALYSIS PARALYSIS" mode.

Typical Questions

• Tell me about a time you took a risk. What kind of risk was it?

• Give me an example of a calculated risk that you have taken where speed was critical. What was the situation and how did you handle it? What steps did you take to mitigate the risk? What was the outcome?

• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information. How did you make it and what was the outcome?

• Describe a time you had to make an important decision on the spot to close a sale.

• Describe a situation where you made an important business decision without consulting your manager. What was the situation and how did it turn out?

• Tell me about a time when you had to analyze facts quickly, define key issues, and respond immediately to a situation. What was the outcome?

• Tell me about a time when you have worked against tight deadlines and didn't have the time to consider all options before making a decision. How much time did you have? What approach did you take?

• Give an example of when you had to make an important decision and had to decide between moving forward or gathering more information. What did you do? What information is necessary for you to have before acting?

• Describe a time when you saw some problem and took the initiative to correct it rather than waiting for someone else to do it.

• Tell me about a time you needed to get information from someone who wasn’t very responsive. What did you do?

• Tell me about a time where you felt your team was not moving to action quickly enough. What did you do? 

• Tell me about a time when you were able to remove a serious roadblock/barrier preventing your team from making progress? How were you able to remove the barrier? What was the outcome?

• Tell me about a time you broke a complex problem into simple sub-parts.

• Describe a time you struggled to meet a deadline.

• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information. How did you make it and what was the outcome?

• Tell me about a time when you launched a product with known risks

• Tell me about a time you had to change your approach because you were going to miss a deadline.

• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information. How did you make it and what was the outcome?

Interviewers Motive

• When faced with a tough decision that will help you and your team move forward, you don’t avoid that decision. You’re not afraid to step up and make the call. 

• You encourage this same behavior in your direct reports. You let them know you’ll stand behind them if they take a risk that doesn’t work out.

• If you’re missing some key piece of information, you try to get it as quickly as possible. If you can’t, you’re not afraid to move ahead without it.

• You foster an environment of action bias by responding promptly to colleagues looking for information, and always deliver on your promises.

• You roll up your sleeves and remove obstacles, even when it’s “not your job.”

• Still stuck? You ask for help. You don’t let yourself or your team be stuck for days at a time.

• Does the candidate gets into "Analysis Paralysis" mode? 

How to Answer these Questions.

• Coming soon. Stay tuned.