Tell me about a time you pushed back on a senior leader's plan because the numbers didn't support it. How did it go?

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests business partnering. Gives examples of working with non-finance managers, understanding their goals, and influencing a decision with data.
• What to bring out: Respectful, data-backed challenge, offered alternatives, understood the leader's view, and accepted or influenced the outcome professionally.
• Expect a follow-up like: What would you do differently in that conversation now?

Another way it may be asked: Think of a time a director wanted to do something you thought financially unwise. What did you do?

A structure to follow: STAR, with the weight on Action and Result

1. Step 1

   Situation

   One or two sentences: where, when and what was at stake. Pick a real example you were close to.

2. Step 2

   Task

   What you personally were responsible for. Say "I", not only "we", so the business partnering you showed is visible.

3. Step 3

   Action

   The two or three things you did and why you chose them over the alternatives. This should be about half your answer.

4. Step 4

   Result

   What changed, in your own measure of it, and what you would do differently. Only use numbers you can stand behind.

This is guidance on shape, not a script. Use your own real experience and facts; never invent details to fill a gap. See the STAR guide and answer frameworks.

Common slips

• Describing what the team did without saying what you did.
• Choosing an example with no clear outcome, or one you cannot answer detailed questions about.
• Ending on the action and skipping the result and what you learned.

How to practise it

Write two bullet points for each STAR letter, then say the answer aloud in about two minutes.

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