Can you describe an instance when your proposed idea was not accepted?

Question

Could you share an experience where you proposed an idea that was initially met with disagreement or resistance? Please include details about the situation, the nature of your idea, how you presented it, the reasons others were hesitant or opposed, and the steps you took to address their concerns or objections. Additionally, explain the outcome and any lessons you learned from the experience.

Accepted Answer

Certainly! Here's a structured response to the question:

---

In my previous role at a technology company, I was part of a team responsible for developing new features for our flagship product. During one of our brainstorming sessions, I proposed a new user interface design aimed at improving the user experience based on feedback from customer reviews and usability tests.

### Situation and Proposal:

The idea was to introduce a more intuitive navigation system that grouped similar functionalities together and used visual cues to guide users more seamlessly through the application. The proposal was backed by data that showed a significant portion of our users struggled with the current interface, leading to frequent customer support queries.

### Presentation:

I presented this idea in a team meeting, showcasing mock-ups and journey maps to illustrate the potential improvements. I supported my proposal with customer feedback data, highlighting the pain points users encountered, and demonstrated how the new design could alleviate these issues, thus potentially reducing support costs and increasing user satisfaction.

### Resistance:

Initially, the idea was met with resistance from some team members, including the product manager, who were concerned about the development time required and the risk of alienating existing users familiar with the old interface. There was also apprehension regarding the resource allocation for what some considered a "cosmetic" change rather than a functional upgrade.

### Addressing Concerns:

To address these concerns, I organized a series of user testing sessions with the mock-ups, which revealed that users navigated the new design more efficiently and reported higher satisfaction rates. I also collaborated with our UX designer to refine the design based on feedback, making it more development-friendly by breaking down changes into smaller, manageable phases to minimize resource strain.

I facilitated discussions with stakeholders, including the customer service team, who supported the initiative due to potential reductions in call center inquiries. I also met with the development team to discuss how iterative implementation could align with our existing sprint schedule, and proposed A/B testing to measure the impact without a full rollout.

### Outcome and Lessons:

Eventually, the phased approach and evidence from user testing persuaded the team to approve a pilot implementation of the new design. After a successful pilot, which demonstrated a decrease in support tickets and an increase in user satisfaction, the full implementation was approved.

From this experience, I learned the importance of persistence and flexibility in the face of initial resistance. It reinforced the value of data-driven decision making and stakeholder engagement to address concerns and build support for new initiatives. I also realized the benefit of breaking down ambitious projects into smaller steps to demonstrate value and manage risk. This experience has made me more adept at navigating resistance and effectively advocating for potential improvements.

---

This structured answer highlights critical aspects of proposing a new idea, addressing concerns, and learning from the experience, aligning with Amazon's leadership principles such as Customer Obsession, Dive Deep, and Deliver Results.

Can you describe an instance when your proposed idea was not accepted?

Question Explain

Answer Example

Related Interview Questions