Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult staffing decision ...

[springsumma]

... to give me inspiration for an upcoming job interview.

I was asked this question last time I was interviewed for a similar role. I need some good examples that emphasise empathetic leadership.

I won't be pinching your answers, but I'm hoping they might help flick on a light switch inside my addled brain.

Deciding when to raise the option of retirement on medical grounds for a staff member on long term sick leave.

UMmm well in teaching that would be every day when I have to decide if I should prioritise my Ukrainian refugee child, my 3 pupils with underfunded EHCPS, the 10 pupils who want to learn or the 10 pupils who don’t….then my support staff get pulled anyway for last minute sick leave cover… not sure how to phrase that…which industry are you in?

I'm an IT professional. Last time I managed a team I was in my late twenties, pre-kids, but now that the youngest has gone off to uni I'm more than ready to step up again - I just need to convince the interview panel (who probably want someone with more recent leadership experience but aren't allowed to say that 🙂).