Please tell me a time when you disagreed with a team member's strategy.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle disagreements constructively and collaboratively within a team setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you navigate conflict, communicate your perspective, and work towards a resolution. It's important to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to collaborate effectively with others. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) should be employed to structure your response.

Answer

Situation: During a project to redesign our company's website, a team member proposed a strategy to use a complex framework that required significant learning time for the whole team.

Task: As a project manager, I needed to ensure that the project stayed on schedule and within budget while considering the best tools and strategies for the project.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss the proposed strategy. I expressed my concerns about the learning curve and the potential impact on our timeline. I listened to their reasoning and acknowledged the benefits of the framework. Together, we evaluated the pros and cons, considering alternative strategies that leveraged our team's existing skills. I encouraged open dialogue to ensure all team members could express their opinions.

Result: Ultimately, we decided on a more familiar framework that allowed us to complete the project on time and meet all the functionality requirements. The team member appreciated the collaborative approach, and we maintained a positive working relationship. The project's success reinforced the importance of considering both innovation and practicality in strategy decisions.