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 conflict, communicate effectively, and demonstrate leadership when necessary. It focuses on your interpersonal skills and how you manage disagreements in a team setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you navigate situations where you need to assert your opinion, particularly when it may not align with others. They are looking for evidence of your problem-solving skills and how you balance team dynamics with achieving successful outcomes.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was working on a new product launch. A team member proposed a marketing strategy that heavily relied on traditional print media, which I believed would not reach our target demographic effectively.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure the success of the launch by aligning our marketing strategy with our target audience's preferences, which leaned more towards digital platforms.

Action: I decided to address my concerns in a team meeting. I presented data and research that highlighted the increasing trend of our target demographic consuming content online rather than through print media. I suggested an alternative approach that incorporated digital marketing tactics such as social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and targeted online ads. I made sure to express my appreciation for my colleague's perspective and invited further discussion to refine our strategy.

Result: After an open discussion, the team agreed to integrate more digital elements into our marketing plan. This approach not only reached a wider audience but also resulted in a 25% increase in engagement compared to previous campaigns. The successful launch reinforced the importance of data-driven decisions and open communication within the team.