What is one time you had to stand up and disagree with a team member's approach?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflicts or disagreements in a professional setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you navigate situations where you have differences in opinion with a team member. It evaluates your communication skills, assertiveness, problem-solving abilities, and how you maintain positive working relationships despite disagreements. The use of the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were in the planning phase of a major project, and a team member proposed a new software tool for managing tasks. While the tool had some innovative features, I had concerns about its steep learning curve and lack of integration with our existing systems.

Task: I needed to ensure that the team selected a tool that was efficient and would not disrupt our workflow, while also addressing the team member's enthusiasm for the new tool.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss my concerns. In the meeting, I acknowledged the benefits of the proposed tool and expressed my appreciation for their proactive approach. I then shared my observations about the potential challenges. To illustrate my point, I presented data from past projects where similar tools led to delays. We discussed alternative solutions and agreed to conduct a trial run with a small group before making a final decision.

Result: The trial revealed the tool's limitations, validating my initial concerns. As a result, we decided on a different tool that was better aligned with our needs. This experience strengthened our team's decision-making process and highlighted the importance of thorough evaluation. Additionally, it fostered a culture of open communication and mutual respect within the team, as the team member appreciated the collaborative approach to resolving the disagreement.