Discuss a conflict you had with your manager.

Question Analysis

This question aims to evaluate how you handle conflicts, particularly with authority figures like your manager. It looks at your interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for professional growth. The interviewer is interested in understanding your approach to conflict resolution and how you maintain professional relationships. When answering, focus on a specific situation where you had a disagreement or conflict with your manager, how you approached the issue, the actions you took to resolve it, and what the outcome was. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help structure a clear and concise response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I had a conflict with my manager regarding the prioritization of tasks for an upcoming project. The manager wanted to focus on developing new features, while I believed we needed to address existing bugs first to ensure a stable release.

Task: My task was to present a compelling argument to persuade my manager to reconsider the task prioritization for the project's success.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss the issue. During the meeting, I presented data showing the potential risks of not addressing the bugs, including customer feedback and historical data of similar projects. I also proposed a revised timeline that allowed for both bug fixes and the inclusion of new features, ensuring we met our deadline without compromising quality.

Result: After reviewing the data and proposed plan, my manager agreed to adjust the priorities. This decision led to a successful project release with minimal post-launch issues, and it strengthened our working relationship as it demonstrated my commitment to the project's success and willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.