Have you ever faced a situation where you and your manager had different opinions about something? How did you approach it?

Question Analysis

This behavioral interview question is designed to assess your ability to handle disagreements or differing opinions in a professional setting. It examines your conflict resolution skills, communication abilities, and how you maintain a productive relationship with your manager despite differences. The interviewer is looking for evidence of your problem-solving skills, diplomacy, and ability to navigate challenging interpersonal dynamics.

Answer

Situation: During a project at my previous job, my manager and I had differing opinions on the approach to a marketing campaign. My manager preferred a traditional strategy, while I believed a digital-first approach would be more effective given our target audience.

Task: My task was to convince my manager to consider the digital-first strategy without undermining their authority or causing conflict within the team.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss our differing viewpoints. I came prepared with data and case studies showing the success of digital campaigns in similar markets. I acknowledged the merits of their approach and suggested a pilot program to test my strategy on a smaller scale. This allowed us to measure effectiveness without committing all resources upfront.

Result: My manager appreciated the evidence-based approach and agreed to the pilot program. The pilot was successful, leading to a broader implementation of the digital strategy, which resulted in a 20% increase in engagement compared to previous campaigns. This experience strengthened my relationship with my manager, as it demonstrated my ability to advocate for my ideas professionally and collaboratively.