What is an instance when you disagreed with your boss or an executive

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution and communication skills, as well as your ability to handle disagreements in a professional manner. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you approach differences in opinion, especially with authority figures, while maintaining respect and professionalism. They want to see that you can advocate for your ideas effectively while also being open to alternative viewpoints and solutions.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was tasked with completing a high-priority project under a tight deadline. My manager suggested a strategy that involved allocating more resources to the project, which I believed might strain our budget and affect other ongoing projects.

Task: I needed to address my concerns with my manager and propose an alternative approach that could meet the project deadline without overextending our resources.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss my concerns. I prepared by gathering data on our current resource utilization and projected outcomes. During the meeting, I respectfully acknowledged the urgency of the project and presented my analysis, suggesting a phased approach that involved reallocating existing resources more efficiently rather than increasing them. I also highlighted how this could prevent potential delays in other projects.

Result: My manager appreciated the data-driven approach and agreed to implement the phased strategy. As a result, we successfully completed the project on time and within budget, without compromising the progress of other projects. This experience reinforced the importance of open communication and thorough preparation when presenting alternative viewpoints.