Can you describe a situation where you had to challenge a leader's decision and how you navigated the situation?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflict, communicate effectively, and demonstrate courage in a professional setting. Interviewers want to see how you address disagreements with authority figures while maintaining professionalism and respect. They are also interested in your problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex situations.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Company, we were in the final stages of launching a new product when the director decided to cut a significant feature to meet the deadline.

Task: As the project manager, I felt responsible for ensuring the product's success and believed that the omission of this feature would negatively impact our customer satisfaction and long-term brand reputation.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the director to discuss the implications of his decision. I prepared data and customer feedback to support my perspective. During the meeting, I respectfully expressed my concerns and presented the evidence showing how the feature aligned with our customers' needs and company goals. I also proposed a revised timeline that included additional resources to ensure the feature's inclusion without significantly delaying the launch.

Result: After reviewing the information, the director agreed to my proposal. We adjusted the timeline and allocated extra resources to retain the feature. As a result, the product launch was well-received by customers, leading to a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores and surpassing our initial sales targets.

By using the STAR method, you clearly demonstrate your ability to challenge a leader's decision while emphasizing the positive outcome achieved through your approach.