Tell me about a time when you had to step up and disagree with a team members approach?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflict and express your opinions constructively within a team setting. It evaluates your communication skills, assertiveness, and your ability to maintain professionalism while disagreeing with a team member. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you navigate situations where you believe a different approach is necessary for the team's success. Demonstrating your ability to resolve disagreements positively is crucial.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, our team was working on a high-stakes project with a tight deadline. One of my team members proposed an approach that involved cutting corners on quality checks to save time.

Task: I believed that this approach could lead to significant risks and potential failures in the project outcome. It was my responsibility to ensure that the project not only met the deadline but also adhered to our quality standards.

Action: I decided to address the situation in a team meeting. I respectfully disagreed with my colleague's approach by acknowledging their perspective and then presenting my concerns about the potential risks. I proposed an alternative solution that included reallocating some resources to maintain our quality checks without compromising the timeline. I supported my suggestion with data from past projects that demonstrated the importance of quality in ensuring long-term success.

Result: After discussing the pros and cons, the team agreed to adopt my proposed approach. As a result, we successfully met the project deadline while maintaining our quality standards. My team member later appreciated my feedback and acknowledged the importance of maintaining quality, which improved our collaborative efforts in future projects.

By using the STAR method, you effectively demonstrate your ability to handle disagreements constructively and lead your team toward a successful outcome.