Share with me a time when you disagreed with a team member.
Question Analysis
This question is a classic behavioral interview query designed to assess your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and professionalism in a team setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle disagreements and whether you can work collaboratively even when there are differing opinions. Your response should demonstrate self-awareness, problem-solving, and the ability to maintain positive relationships with colleagues.
Answer
Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I worked on a cross-functional team tasked with launching a new marketing campaign. One of the team members, responsible for the creative design, had a vision that significantly differed from the initial brief and the team's overall strategy.
Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure that all team members were aligned with the project's goals and that any issues were resolved promptly to keep the project on track.
Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss our differing perspectives. I actively listened to their ideas and concerns, acknowledging their creative input. I then shared my viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the client's objectives and the agreed strategy. We brainstormed together to find a compromise that incorporated some of their creative elements while still adhering to the campaign's goals.
Result: Through open communication and collaboration, we reached a consensus that satisfied both the creative vision and the strategic requirements. The campaign was launched successfully, receiving positive feedback from both the client and the audience. The experience reinforced the importance of flexibility and open dialogue in resolving disagreements within a team.