What is one time you had to stand up and disagree with a team member's approach?

Question Analysis

This question is assessing your ability to effectively handle conflicts in a team setting. It seeks to understand how you manage disagreements, communicate your perspective, and influence others while maintaining a collaborative environment. The interviewer is interested in your decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, and your ability to stand up for what you believe is right, even when it might cause friction. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response clearly.

Answer

Situation: During a project at my previous job, we were tasked with developing a new marketing strategy. One of my team members proposed a plan that heavily relied on traditional advertising, which I felt was not aligned with our target audience's preferences, who were predominantly active on digital platforms.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that our marketing strategy was both innovative and effective, reaching our audience through the most suitable channels.

Action: I decided to voice my concerns in a team meeting. I respectfully disagreed with my colleague's approach and presented data and research that highlighted the importance of digital marketing for our demographic. I suggested reallocating a portion of the budget to enhance our online presence and offered a detailed plan on how we could implement this.

Result: After a thorough discussion, the team agreed to incorporate more digital marketing strategies. The new approach led to a 20% increase in engagement within the first month of implementation, proving to be more effective in reaching our target audience. My ability to stand up and present a data-backed alternative not only improved the project outcome but also strengthened my relationship with my team as they appreciated my initiative and respect for diverse opinions.