Tell me about a time when you had to finish a project with someone you didn't get along with.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and professionalism in challenging situations. The interviewer wants to know how you handle working with someone you have difficulties with and whether you can complete a task effectively despite personal differences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, focusing on your ability to collaborate and maintain professionalism.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Corporation, I was assigned to lead a project with a tight deadline. A key team member, Alex, and I had previous differences regarding work style, which occasionally led to disagreements.

Task: Our task was to develop a marketing strategy for a new product launch. It was crucial for us to collaborate effectively to meet the launch date and deliver high-quality work.

Action: Acknowledging the importance of teamwork, I decided to address the situation proactively. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with Alex to discuss our differences and find common ground. During the meeting, I actively listened to Alex's concerns and shared my perspective, focusing on our shared goals. We agreed on clear communication guidelines and regular check-ins to ensure we stayed aligned throughout the project.

Result: By improving our communication and understanding each other's strengths, we were able to work together more efficiently. The project was completed successfully and on time, receiving positive feedback from management. This experience taught me the value of addressing conflicts directly and finding collaborative solutions.