Tell me about a time when you made a bad hire. When did you figure it out, and what did you do?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The individual in question was hired for a new team I was setting up to build a
product from scratch for an internal client. Since this was a new initiative, we
needed to collaborate with multiple internal partners and conduct a series of
brainstorming sessions. Unfortunately, this candidate frequently exhibited a
fixed mindset during discussions, often leading to arguments that created
discomfort among other team members.
I noticed this behavior during meetings, and several team members shared similar
concerns in their one-on-ones, mentioning that their ideas and opinions were
often dismissed or debated. This feedback highlighted a risk to team morale and
the potential loss of valuable input from the group.
I addressed these concerns with the individual directly, emphasizing that
teamwork and collaboration are essential to our success, and that respecting
others’ input strengthens the final product. Although the individual initially
seemed receptive, the behavior persisted. Consequently, I implemented formal
coaching on teamwork and collaboration, and took a more active role in guiding
discussions to create a comfortable environment for the team. The individual was
placed on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) focused on teamwork in their
focal review. Over subsequent quarterly reviews, I observed significant
improvement in their approach to team discussions, with notable progress in
collaborative behavior.

Anonymous · Answer

In such a situation, I would start discussing the expectations with the new hire
as soon as I see the slippage in delivery. I will set the expectations very
clearly with the new hire and link back to the hiring discussions based on which
hiring was done. Moreover, if there is no improvement, then I would need to
provide the right guidance and training. If the trainings don't help either,
then I would need to rehire for this position.

Tell me about a time when you made a bad hire. When did you figure it out, and what did you do?

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