Talk about a time you had a disagreement with your manager.

Question Analysis

This behavioral interview question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, your ability to communicate effectively, and your professionalism in handling disagreements with authority figures. The interviewer wants to understand how you navigate challenging situations, your problem-solving skills, and your ability to maintain a productive working relationship despite differences. 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, we were in the middle of a major project with a tight deadline. My manager wanted to implement a new software tool that I felt would require too much time to learn, potentially delaying our progress.

Task: I needed to address my concerns with my manager to ensure the project stayed on track and was completed on time, while also considering the long-term benefits of the new tool.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss my concerns. During the meeting, I presented data and past experiences to support my viewpoint, emphasizing the potential time delay. I suggested a compromise: we could continue with our current tools for this project and gradually implement the new software in the next phase, allowing time for proper training.

Result: My manager appreciated my proactive approach and data-driven perspective. She agreed to postpone the implementation of the new tool until the next phase. As a result, we successfully met our project deadline, and the team was better prepared when the time came to adopt the new software. This experience also strengthened my relationship with my manager, as it demonstrated my commitment to the project's success and openness to change.