Describe a time when you had a disagreement with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, communication abilities, and professionalism. The interviewer wants to understand how you handle disagreements, especially with authority figures like a manager. They are interested in seeing how you navigate difficult situations, maintain relationships, and learn from experiences. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I was working on a critical project with a tight deadline. During a team meeting, my manager suggested a strategy that I believed could potentially delay our progress due to unforeseen technical challenges.

Task: I needed to address my concern with my manager to ensure the project stayed on schedule without causing any friction or misunderstanding within the team.

Action: After the meeting, I scheduled a one-on-one discussion with my manager. I prepared by gathering data that supported my viewpoint, including previous project timelines and potential risks. During our discussion, I expressed my respect for his expertise and explained my concerns. I proposed an alternative approach and highlighted how it could help us meet the deadline more effectively. I made sure to listen to his perspective and remained open to compromise.

Result: My manager appreciated my proactive approach and data-driven reasoning. We decided to implement a hybrid strategy incorporating both of our ideas, which ultimately kept the project on track and improved the team's efficiency. This experience strengthened our working relationship and enhanced my problem-solving skills.