I want to know about a time you disagreed with a supervisor.

Question Analysis

This question is a common behavioral interview question designed to assess your ability to handle conflicts and disagreements in a professional setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you approach disagreements, your communication skills, and your ability to maintain a positive working relationship despite differences in opinion. To answer this question effectively, you should use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide a structured and comprehensive response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, our team was tasked with delivering a crucial project under a tight deadline. During one of our planning meetings, my supervisor proposed a particular approach to streamline the process.

Task: I recognized that the proposed approach might overlook some critical quality checks, potentially compromising the project's quality. I felt it was important to address this concern to ensure we maintained the high standards our clients expected.

Action: I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with my supervisor to discuss my concerns. I expressed my respect for her expertise and highlighted the potential risks I had identified. I proposed an alternative solution that would incorporate the necessary quality checks without significantly affecting the timeline. I supported my proposal with data from past projects to illustrate its feasibility and benefits.

Result: My supervisor appreciated my initiative and willingness to speak up. She agreed to implement the additional quality checks, which ultimately led to the successful completion of the project with no major issues. This experience strengthened our working relationship and demonstrated my commitment to the team's success.