Can you talk about a time when you had to persuade someone to see things your way?

Example Answer

Illustrative story: replace the situation, actions, and outcome with your own experience before using this answer.

I wanted to simplify a request form, but a colleague was worried we would lose information needed for approval. Rather than repeating the benefits, I asked them to show me where those fields were used. Some were important, and a few were rarely consulted.

I revised the proposal to keep the required information and test a shorter form with one team. We agreed to check incomplete requests and follow-up questions before changing it more widely. That made the decision less about whose opinion was stronger. The colleague supported the trial, and we used what we learned to decide which fields to remove. I changed part of my position as well; persuasion worked because I addressed a valid concern.

Make it your own

Use a disagreement where you listened and changed something, not just convinced someone to agree. Name the evidence or limited test that helped and the outcome you actually observed.

Why this works

It demonstrates influence through understanding another person's constraints and reducing the decision risk.

Follow-up to practice

What would you have done if the trial supported their original position?