Can you share a time when you had to disagree with someone's approach?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflict and disagreement professionally. The interviewer wants to understand how you manage differing opinions in the workplace and whether you can do so constructively. They are looking for evidence of your communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you provide a structured and impactful response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were tasked with launching a new marketing campaign. One of the team members suggested an approach that involved a significant budget increase to focus heavily on digital ads.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure the campaign stayed within budget while maximizing reach and effectiveness. I needed to address my concerns about the proposed approach without dismissing the team member's idea outright.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss my concerns. I presented data from past campaigns that showed a balanced approach using both digital and traditional media yielded better results. I proposed an alternative strategy that could leverage both methods while remaining within budget. I emphasized the importance of collaboration and invited further discussion to refine the strategy.

Result: The team member appreciated my feedback and was open to adjusting the plan. We collaborated to develop a revised strategy, which successfully launched under budget and exceeded our engagement targets by 15%. This experience reinforced the value of open communication and collaboration in resolving disagreements constructively.