Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a colleague's approach, how did you voice your concerns and reach a resolution?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle disagreements in a professional setting, showcasing your interpersonal skills, communication style, and problem-solving abilities. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you approach conflict, maintain professionalism, and work towards a resolution that benefits the team and the organization. By asking this, they want to see if you can collaborate effectively even when opinions differ.

Answer

Situation:

In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Company, our team was tasked with developing a new marketing strategy for a product launch. A colleague proposed an approach that heavily relied on traditional advertising methods, which I felt might not effectively reach our target audience.

Task:

I believed that incorporating digital marketing would better align with our goals. My task was to communicate my concerns constructively and collaborate with my colleague to find a more effective strategy.

Action:

I scheduled a meeting with my colleague to discuss my observations. During our conversation, I expressed my appreciation for their efforts and shared data and insights that supported the potential of digital marketing. I emphasized our common goal of maximizing the product's reach and suggested combining our ideas to create a more comprehensive strategy.

Result:

My colleague was open to the feedback, and we decided to pilot a campaign that integrated both traditional and digital marketing elements. This collaborative approach resulted in a successful product launch, exceeding our initial engagement targets by 30%. Our ability to effectively communicate and compromise strengthened our working relationship and set a positive example for the team.