Disagreeing With Your Manager (Evaluation)

This video segment provides feedback on an individual's response to a behavioral interview question about navigating a disagreement with a manager.

• Identified Potential Concerns: The feedback highlights potential concerns about the interviewee's response, specifically regarding its potential impact on how an Amazon interviewer might perceive the candidate's "bias for action."

  • The initial disagreement with the manager's unrealistic 15-minute response time could be perceived negatively, as Amazon highly values individuals who demonstrate strong initiative and a bias for action.
  • The interviewee's acknowledgment of the initial failure to meet the 15-minute target could be interpreted as a lack of commitment or a reluctance to fully embrace the manager's directive.

• Suggested Improvements: To address these concerns, the feedback suggests that the interviewee could have:

  • Emphasized proactive problem-solving: Instead of simply acknowledging the initial failure, the interviewee could have highlighted their proactive efforts to gather data, analyze the situation, and propose an alternative solution that was more realistic and achievable.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the team's success: The interviewee could have further emphasized their commitment to the team's success by describing how they actively engaged with stakeholders, addressed their concerns, and ultimately achieved the revised goal of a 90th percentile response time within one hour.
  • Framed the disagreement constructively: Instead of focusing on the initial disagreement and the perceived failure to meet the 15-minute target, the interviewee could have framed the situation as a learning opportunity and emphasized their ability to adapt and find a successful solution that aligned with the team's capabilities and customer needs.

• Overall: The feedback emphasizes the importance of demonstrating a strong bias for action, a commitment to achieving goals, and the ability to navigate disagreements constructively in an Amazon interview setting. By incorporating these suggestions, the interviewee can enhance their ability to effectively communicate their accomplishments and demonstrate their suitability for a role at Amazon.

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