Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question is a common behavioral interview question that assesses your ability to handle conflict and disagreement in a professional setting. Interviewers are interested in understanding how you navigate conflicts with authority figures, your ability to communicate effectively, and your problem-solving skills. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is particularly useful here to structure your response by clearly outlining the context, what was required of you, the steps you took, and the outcome.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, our team was working on a high-stakes project with a tight deadline. My manager wanted to proceed with a particular vendor for a critical component of the project due to their previous relationship.

Task: I was responsible for evaluating vendors to ensure we chose the best option in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness. During my research, I discovered that another vendor offered better terms and a superior product.

Action: I decided to bring my findings to my manager's attention. I scheduled a meeting and presented my research in a respectful manner, highlighting the long-term benefits and potential cost savings of choosing the alternate vendor. I also acknowledged my manager's experience and the importance of maintaining good relationships with existing vendors, but emphasized our project's goals and budget constraints.

Result: After reviewing the data, my manager agreed to a joint meeting with both vendors. Ultimately, we selected the alternate vendor, which resulted in a 15% cost saving and enhanced the quality of our project deliverables. My manager appreciated my initiative and thorough analysis, which strengthened our working relationship and demonstrated my commitment to the project's success.