Today ...

I'm overseeing (but not participating in) Interviews for a position in a REALLY dysfunctional department. The department is way over-staffed; but that's because the staff that refused to accept supervisory direction ... period ... and rather than deal with the insubordination, the department head would just hire someone to do what the rest of the staff wouldn't. That worked for about a week ... until the new hire figured out they didn't have to do what the supervisor assigned.

I've been charged with fixing the department ... one of my first steps was to have the department head re-assigned to a different area. The second step involves a staff reduction from 9 full-time and 4 part-time positions to 10 full-time positions and the position's duties has been re-structured. All of the staff has been invited to interview for the new position (though no one will be unemployed as I've found positions elsewhere for those not making the cut to land).

Well here is a snap-shot of one interviews:

Question: Describe a situation where you disagreed with the direction given by management. What were the circumstances and how did you respond?

Response: I told him he was wrong and did the task in the way I thought best.

Interview Panel's Consensus Judgment: NEXT!