Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflicts with authority figures, your communication skills, and your problem-solving abilities. Interviewers want to understand how you approach disagreements, whether you can resolve conflicts constructively, and how you maintain professional relationships. It is important to demonstrate that you can disagree respectfully and work towards a resolution that benefits the team or organization.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a marketing coordinator, we were tasked with launching a new campaign that was critical for our department's quarterly goals. My manager proposed a strategy that heavily focused on traditional media outlets.

Task: I believed that our target audience would be more effectively reached through digital platforms, given the changing media consumption trends. It was important to ensure the campaign's success and align it with audience preferences.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss my concerns. I presented data and case studies supporting the effectiveness of digital platforms for our target demographic. I emphasized the potential for reaching a larger audience at a lower cost and suggested a balanced approach that included both traditional and digital media.

Result: My manager appreciated my initiative and data-driven approach. We decided to integrate my suggestions into the campaign, resulting in a 30% increase in audience engagement compared to previous campaigns. This experience reinforced the importance of backing up disagreements with evidence and maintaining open communication.