A request lands on you that no process covers: the nearest rule says no, common sense says yes, and the person needs an answer today. What do you do?

Problem solvingjuniorsituational

Why this works

The gap between the rules and sense is where judgment first shows in junior roles, and the dilemma has no free move — hiding behind the rule has a cost, improvising has a risk. The answer-today clause keeps "I'd find out the policy" from being the whole answer.

Follow-up probes

What would make you comfortable deciding without asking anyone?
Who do you tell afterwards, and why?
What if the same request comes back next month?

What good looks like

The actual risk sized rather than assumed, a decision owned within sensible limits, the outcome flagged to whoever owns the process, and the gap raised so a rule exists next time.

Red flags

The rule applied purely for self-protection, a yes improvised with no curiosity about why the rule exists, or a workaround that stays secret and never becomes a procedure.

Related across competencies

Describe a time a policy or decision where you worked was doing real harm — to customers, your team, anyone. What did you do about it?
Integritysenior

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