What was a time when you had to disagree with the approach taken by a team member?

Question Analysis

This behavioral interview question aims to assess your conflict resolution skills, ability to communicate effectively, and how you handle disagreements in a team setting. The interviewer wants to understand if you can maintain professionalism while addressing differences and if you can collaborate to achieve a common goal. It's important to showcase your ability to navigate challenging situations and your capacity for constructive feedback and compromise.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator at XYZ Company, our team was tasked with developing a new marketing strategy for an upcoming product launch. One of my team members proposed a digital campaign that relied heavily on a single social media platform.

Task: I believed that this approach was too narrow and posed a risk as it didn't account for our diverse target audience, who engaged with multiple platforms. My task was to ensure our strategy was inclusive and reached the maximum potential audience.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss my concerns. I presented data and examples from past campaigns that demonstrated the benefits of a multi-channel approach. I emphasized the value of diversifying our efforts to mitigate risk and enhance reach. We had an open and respectful discussion where I encouraged feedback and alternative ideas.

Result: After considering my input, the team member agreed to expand the campaign to include additional social media platforms. This adjustment led to a more comprehensive marketing strategy. Ultimately, the product launch exceeded our engagement and conversion targets, receiving positive feedback from the management.

By using the STAR method, I effectively communicated my disagreement while maintaining a positive and collaborative team environment.