Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team member's approach?

Question Analysis

This question is a classic behavioral interview question that seeks to understand how you handle disagreements and conflict in a professional setting. It evaluates your interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate effectively, and how you navigate differences in opinion. The interviewer is looking for insight into your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and whether you can maintain a positive working relationship even when disagreements arise. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will help structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Company, we were tasked with developing a new feature for our main product. During a team meeting, a colleague proposed an approach that I believed could potentially delay the project due to its complexity.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that the project stayed on track and that the team worked efficiently towards a common goal. I needed to address my concerns without dismissing my colleague's ideas, as collaboration and respect were key to our team's success.

Action: I scheduled a follow-up meeting with the team member to discuss their approach in more detail. I expressed my appreciation for their innovative idea and then shared my concerns regarding the timeline. We reviewed the pros and cons of different approaches together, and I suggested we consult with another experienced team member to gain additional perspectives.

Result: Through this open dialogue, we were able to combine elements of both our approaches, resulting in a more streamlined solution that met the project deadline and enhanced the feature's functionality. This experience strengthened our professional relationship and improved team dynamics, fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect.