Talk about a time you had a disagreement with your manager.

Question Analysis

This behavioral question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to work under management. Interviewers ask this to understand how you handle disagreements in a professional setting and whether you can maintain a positive relationship with your manager despite differences. The key here is to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, find common ground, and resolve conflicts constructively. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will help structure your response in a clear and organized way.

Answer

Situation: When I was working as a project coordinator at XYZ Corporation, my manager and I had a disagreement about the timeline for a project deliverable. I believed that the proposed timeline was too tight and could compromise the quality of the final product.

Task: My task was to ensure that the project met the company's quality standards while also respecting the deadlines set by my manager. It was important to present my perspective in a way that was constructive and contributed to the overall success of the project.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss my concerns. During the meeting, I presented data and past project examples to support my point that more time was needed to ensure a thorough quality check. I listened to my manager’s constraints and priorities, and we brainstormed possible solutions together. We agreed on a revised timeline that included additional resources to help meet both the quality and deadline requirements.

Result: The project was completed on the revised schedule, and it met all the quality benchmarks. My manager appreciated my proactive approach and data-driven suggestions, and it strengthened our professional relationship. This experience taught me the importance of open communication and collaboration when resolving disagreements.