Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a team member.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, teamwork, and communication abilities. Employers want to know how you handle disagreements in a professional setting. They are looking for evidence of your ability to address conflicts in a constructive manner, maintain positive working relationships, and contribute to team effectiveness. Remember to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response clearly.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was working on a critical project with a tight deadline. A team member and I had a disagreement over the approach we should take to complete a specific task.

Task: It was essential to resolve this disagreement quickly to ensure the project stayed on track and to maintain team cohesion.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss our perspectives. During the meeting, I actively listened to their concerns and explained my viewpoint, focusing on the project's goals and requirements. We explored the pros and cons of each approach and sought common ground. I also suggested seeking input from other team members to gain additional insights.

Result: As a result, we agreed on a hybrid approach that combined elements from both of our ideas. This not only improved the quality of the work but also strengthened our working relationship. The project was completed on time, and the client was highly satisfied with the outcome. This experience taught me the importance of open communication and collaboration in resolving conflicts.