How do you lead under risk and uncertainty?

Answer the following engineering leadership questions (EM/Senior level). Use specific examples.

1. Tell me about a time you rejected a technically exciting (“cool”) solution because the risk was too high.
2. Describe a conflict with a strong-willed researcher or PM . How did you handle disagreement and alignment?
3. In a system with high uncertainty (e.g., LLM behavior, shifting requirements), how do you make decisions and give the team direction without overcommitting?

What the interviewer is looking for:

• Humility (not a “hero engineer” posture)
• Respect for risk and failure modes
• Ability to translate ambiguous problems into an execution plan
• Sustainable evolution over “perfect architecture”