Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to work under challenging circumstances. The interviewer wants to understand how you handle disagreements with authority figures, maintain professionalism, and take constructive steps toward resolution. It also provides insight into your communication skills and your capability to reflect on and learn from past experiences. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I was tasked with managing a project that had a tight deadline. My manager had a different vision for the project timeline compared to what the team and I believed was feasible.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that the project was completed on time without compromising on quality, while also addressing my manager’s concerns and expectations.

Action: I decided to arrange a meeting with my manager to discuss the differing perspectives. I prepared by gathering data on team capacity and potential risks associated with the proposed timeline. During the meeting, I respectfully presented this information, highlighting the potential impact on quality and team workload. I also listened to his concerns and suggestions.

Result: As a result of our discussion, we agreed on a revised timeline that allowed for a more balanced workload and maintained the project's quality standards. My manager appreciated the proactive approach and data-driven rationale. This experience improved our communication and collaboration, and the project was completed successfully, meeting the revised deadline.