Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team member's approach.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, as well as your ability to collaborate within a team. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle disagreements, especially in a professional setting. They want to see if you can navigate conflicts constructively, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive team dynamic. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure a clear and impactful response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were working on a high-stakes project with a tight deadline. A team member proposed an approach that did not align with the project's objectives and could potentially delay the timeline.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure the project stayed on track while maintaining a positive and collaborative team environment.

Action: I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to discuss their approach. I listened to their reasoning and explained my concerns about the potential impact on the project timeline. Together, we brainstormed alternative solutions that incorporated the best elements of their idea while aligning with the project goals.

Result: As a result, we developed a modified approach that satisfied everyone involved. The project was completed on time, and the team member appreciated the opportunity to contribute their ideas. This experience strengthened our team's collaboration and trust, leading to improved performance on future projects.