Can you give an example of a time when you disagreed with a leader's decision, and how you handled the situation?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral interview question that assesses your ability to handle disagreements with leadership effectively. The interviewer is interested in understanding your conflict resolution skills, communication abilities, and professionalism. They want to see if you can maintain a positive relationship and respect for authority while still voicing your opinion. This question provides insight into your problem-solving approach and emotional intelligence.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was working on a critical project with a tight deadline. The leader of our department decided to allocate resources from our project to another department, which I believed would jeopardize our timeline.

Task: I felt it was important to address my concerns, as the success of our project was crucial for meeting the company's quarterly goals. My task was to communicate effectively with the leader to find a resolution that would work for both parties.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the leader to discuss my concerns. I prepared data and evidence to support my viewpoint, demonstrating how the reallocation of resources could impact our project timeline and overall success. During the meeting, I remained calm and professional, actively listening to their perspective and acknowledging the challenges they faced.

Result: As a result of our discussion, we reached a compromise. The leader agreed to provide temporary support to the other department but ensured that our key resources would return to our project before any critical phases began. This solution allowed us to meet our deadline, and the project was completed successfully. The leader appreciated my proactive approach and data-backed arguments, which strengthened our professional relationship.

By using the STAR method, this answer effectively demonstrates my ability to handle disagreements with leadership constructively, showing respect for their decisions while advocating for my team's needs.