How to answer: Tell me about a technically correct idea that failed to gain adoption.

What the interviewer is testing.

Influence, empathy, and iteration. Whether you understand that being right is not enough to get an idea adopted.

An outline for this question.

1. Describe the idea and why it was technically sound.
2. Say honestly why it failed to land: the people who had to change, the cost to them, how you presented it.
3. Show what you did about it: listening, adjusting the idea, finding an early supporter.
4. Say what you do differently now when you propose a change.

The mistake to avoid.

Blaming people for not understanding. The question is about what you learned about influence.

The general method: situation, action, result.

The same shape works for most behavioral questions, whatever the topic.

• Set the scene in two sentences: the team, the stakes, your role.
• Say what you did, in the first person. Name the decision you made and why.
• Give the result with a number if you have one, and one thing you would do differently.

Practice it, out loud.

Reading an outline is not the same as saying it. Answer this question in a mock interview, in your own words, then compare it with the outline above.

Practice this questionSee live interview help

More to practice.

• Tell me about yourself and why this role is the right next step.

  Software Engineering, Behavioral

• Tell me about a product decision you changed after learning from customers.

  Product, Behavioral

• Walk me through a deal you lost and what you changed afterward.

  Sales, Behavioral

• Tell me about a high-performing employee whose growth required difficult feedback.

  Leadership, Behavioral

This is a Replysis practice question. It is not a leaked or official question from any company, and the outline is a guide to structure, not a script. Use your own experience and facts.