Describe a time you had to course-correct a strategic bet that wasn't working. How did you communicate this to the board and team?
Model answer
Model answerWe invested heavily in a partnership strategy with a major platform, expecting it to drive 50% of new signups. By month 6, we were only seeing 8%. Most leaders wanted to keep pushing; sunk cost bias was strong. But I brought forward the data and made the case that we should reallocate resources to direct sales, which was outperforming on every metric. I framed it not as failure but as course correction — we learned what doesn't work and now we have clarity on what does. I communicated this to the board as a sign of disciplined capital allocation, not a miss. We shifted strategy, and direct sales became our largest channel. The key was owning the decision without defensiveness and reframing it as smart learning.
Framework · Course Correction Framework
- FFace the Data
Acknowledge when assumptions are wrong despite emotional investment - DDiagnosis Before Action
Determine whether to persist with more effort or pivot entirely - RReframe as Learning
Communicate this as disciplined capital allocation and validated learning - CCommunicate the New Direction
Be clear and confident in the pivot; don't hedge or show uncertainty - EExecute Decisively
Commit resources to the new direction and track progress rigorously
Related questions
- Tell me about the most important strategic decision you made as a leader. How did you gather input and what was the outcome?
- Describe a time you had to rebuild trust with your team after a decision they disagreed with. What did you do?
- Tell me about a time you had to make a decision that prioritized long-term value over short-term results. How did you communicate this to your stakeholders?
- Tell me about a critical organizational challenge you faced where the obvious solution would have failed. How did you reframe the problem?
- Tell me about a time you had to deliver a product feature with unclear requirements. How did you handle it?