Grokking Engineering Leadership Interviews
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Taking Conflict and Criticism
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Imagine you’re in an interview and the interviewer says,

“I noticed in your past projects, there were some delays. Can you explain why?”

Its easy to feel offended with such an interrogation containing negative remarks. But if you lose your temper or get numb to the situation, you will lose your plot.

Handling conflict and criticism is a crucial skill for any leader, especially in engineering roles.

Here’s how you can effectively manage these situations during an interview:

1. Stay Composed and Collected

  • Avoid: Getting defensive or rude.

  • What To Do: Take a deep breath, maintain eye contact, and listen carefully to what is being said.

How to deal with criticism
How to deal with criticism

2. Listen Actively

  • Avoid: Interrupting the interviewer or dismissing their feedback.

  • What To Do: Let the interviewer finish speaking before you respond. Nod to show you’re listening and understanding.

3. Acknowledge the Feedback

  • Avoid: Ignoring the criticism or pretending it didn’t happen.

  • What To Do: Acknowledge the feedback by thanking the interviewer for their perspective. This shows maturity and openness.

Example:

“Thank you for pointing that out. I appreciate your feedback.”

4. Reflect and Respond Thoughtfully

  • Avoid: Reacting impulsively or with anger.

  • What To Do: Take a moment to reflect on the feedback. Respond thoughtfully, showing that you have considered their points.

Example:

“I understand why you might see it that way. Here’s how I’ve addressed similar feedback in the past…”

5. Share Your Learning Experience

  • Avoid: Denying any mistakes or refusing to learn from criticism.

  • What To Do: Share what you have learned from past experiences and how you have grown as a result.

Example:

“In a previous role, I received similar feedback about my communication style. I worked on it by attending workshops and seeking mentorship, and it significantly improved my team’s dynamics.”

6. Show Willingness To Improve

  • Avoid: Acting like you don’t need to improve or dismissing the feedback.

  • What To Do: Express your willingness to learn and improve. Show that you are committed to personal and professional growth.

Example:

“I’m always looking for ways to improve and I will take your feedback seriously. I plan to… (mention a specific action you will take).”

Learning from Criticism

Take any criticism positively and try to identify the learning opportunities:

  1. Embrace the Opportunity: View criticism as an opportunity to grow rather than a personal attack.

  2. Seek Clarification: If you don’t fully understand the feedback, ask for examples or clarification.

  3. Make a Plan: Develop a plan to address the feedback and improve in the areas mentioned.

  4. Follow Up: If appropriate, follow up with the interviewer after some time to show how you have taken their feedback on board and worked on it.

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