Describe a time when you had to take an action that went against the opinions or wishes of others.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your decision-making skills, assertiveness, and ability to stand by your convictions even when faced with opposition. The interviewer wants to see how you handle conflict and whether you can prioritize the greater good or the best interest of the project over personal relationships. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response to highlight your thought process and the positive outcomes of your decision.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were working on a critical project with a tight deadline. During a team meeting, several team members proposed a solution that would have met the deadline but compromised on quality.

Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure the project was completed on time without sacrificing the quality standards that our company is known for.

Action: I carefully evaluated the proposed solution and identified potential risks that could arise from reducing the quality. I then gathered data and examples of past projects where similar shortcuts had led to negative outcomes. Armed with this information, I called for another meeting to present my findings. Despite initial resistance, I proposed an alternative approach that would require additional resources but maintain the project's quality. I emphasized the long-term benefits and gained support from key stakeholders by aligning the decision with the company’s values and goals.

Result: Although it was challenging to go against the majority opinion initially, my insistence on maintaining quality resulted in the project being completed successfully with no issues from the client. The client expressed satisfaction with the final product, and our team received commendation for upholding the company’s standards. This experience reinforced the importance of balancing deadlines with quality and standing firm on decisions that align with core values.