Discuss a conflict you had with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, ability to work under pressure, and professionalism. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle disagreements, particularly with authority figures. They want to see if you can maintain a professional demeanor and work collaboratively to resolve issues. It's important to demonstrate that you can approach conflicts constructively and reflect on the experience positively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I encountered a conflict with my manager regarding the prioritization of tasks for an upcoming project. The manager wanted to focus on tasks that I believed were less critical to meeting the project's deadline.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that the project stayed on track and that we met our deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards. I needed to address my concerns with my manager and find a way to align our priorities to achieve the best outcome for the project.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss my concerns. During the meeting, I presented data and evidence to support my perspective, highlighting how prioritizing the more critical tasks could positively impact our timeline and deliverables. I also listened actively to understand my manager's viewpoint and the reasons behind their priority choices.

Result: Through open communication and mutual understanding, we reached a consensus on a revised task prioritization that incorporated both our perspectives. This adjustment allowed us to complete the project on time, and my manager appreciated my initiative in addressing potential roadblocks proactively. This experience reinforced the importance of clear communication and collaboration in resolving conflicts professionally.