Despite our best intentions, from time to time we are going to have disagreements with people and organizations. It’s only natural in the course of events.
Rather than running from disagreements and challenges let’s rise to the occasion and meet them head on and see them for what they are. Opportunities to learn and improve.
Here is a good story to illustrate why all disagreements and challenges are not to be avoided or accepted at face value…
A few years back I was headhunted to be the national sales manager for a marketing company based out of California. After three rounds of interviews and psychological profiling, I was down to the final three candidates for the position.
My final interview was make or break and I was determined to shine and get an offer.
The final interview was going smoothly and just as it was wrapping up we hit a speed bump. A major speed bump.
Interviewer: Joe, I’d like to thank you for the time invested in this process. You are a great candidate. That said, while we were impressed by your experience and interviews, we’re not sure you’re the best fit for this position and regret to inform you you didn’t get the job.
Me: (gulp) Okay, thank you. I appreciate the consideration for the position. Before we part ways, I’d love to get your feedback on why you don’t think I was the best fit for the job. Perhaps you could also give me some constructive feedback of ways you think I could improve my interviewing skills, I would really appreciate it.
Interviewer: Sure no problem. Despite your resume and track record of success we’re not sure you have the specific experience selling to this type of client to be successful in this position. I hope you understand and we wish you the best of luck in your job hunt.
Me: I really appreciate the feedback, thank you. I apologize if I did a poor job of explaining this, but in my last job these are the exactly the type of clients I worked with and I know I can produce the same type of outstanding results for your company….
Long story short, I got the job offer.
I later found out that “the challenge” was built into their interview process as a final test to see how a potential hire reacts to rejection and a challenge.
The interviewer said this was the toughest part of the interview process for her but that it was a necessary evil as more than one seemingly great candidate buckled and did not handle “the challenge” well.
How would you have reacted in this situation? What challenges or disagreements are you currently facing in your life? Are you viewing these challenges defensively or as opportunities to learn and improve?
Hope this story sheds some light on the value of staying positive and putting your best foot forward even in the face of disagreement, challenges and rejection.
Keep in mind, we learn a lot more about someone’s character when something goes wrong than when things are going smoothly.
Have an extraordinary week, keep learning and stay positive.
What I’m reading this week: Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
