Why interviewers ask this
Unlearning something is harder than learning something new, because it requires recognizing that a pattern you have relied on is actually working against you, which takes real self-awareness. This question tests whether you can notice your own counterproductive habits without needing someone else to force the realization on you, and whether you can actually change behavior once you see it, not just intellectually agree with the feedback. It is a more specific and often more revealing version of the classic weakness question.
How to structure a strong answer
Name the habit specifically and how it had developed, often a habit that served you well in one context but became a liability in another. Describe what made you realize it was a problem, whether that was feedback from someone else or a consequence you noticed yourself, and the deliberate steps you took to actually change the behavior, since habits rarely change just by deciding to. Close with evidence that the change stuck, not just a one-time instance of doing things differently.
Example answer
Early in my career as an individual contributor, I had a habit of jumping in to fix problems myself the moment I spotted them, which was seen as a strength until I moved into a team lead role, where it meant I was quietly doing other people's work instead of developing them. A direct report told me, kindly but clearly, that she felt like she never got the chance to work through a hard problem because I would step in too quickly, and that comment stuck with me. I started deliberately waiting a set 24 hours before intervening on anything that was not truly urgent, and instead asked questions to help people find their own way to a solution. It took real discipline to sit with the discomfort of watching someone struggle a bit longer than I would have let them, but within a couple of months my team's problem-solving speed on their own actually improved, and that same colleague told me the change had made a real difference in how much she was learning.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid choosing a habit that is actually a disguised strength, like 'I used to work too hard,' since that reads as an insincere version of the classic weakness dodge. Do not describe the unlearning as instant or effortless, real habit change usually involves some visible discipline or friction, which makes the story more credible. Also make sure to include evidence the change actually stuck over time, not just a single moment of doing it differently once.