Please share a time when you disagreed with a member of your team.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflicts and disagreements in a team setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you communicate, your problem-solving skills, and your ability to work collaboratively despite differing opinions. The key is to demonstrate that you can navigate disagreements constructively and maintain a positive working relationship with your team members.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, we were working on launching a new feature for our software product. During one of our planning meetings, I disagreed with a team member who proposed a timeline that I believed was too aggressive and could compromise the quality of the final product.

Task: My task was to ensure that the project timeline was realistic and that all team members were aligned in delivering a high-quality product without unnecessary pressure that could lead to burnout.

Action: I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to discuss my concerns. I listened to their reasoning for the proposed timeline and then shared my perspective on the potential risks involved. I suggested collaborating with our development and quality assurance teams to reassess the timeline and identify any potential bottlenecks. This approach allowed us to gather more information and make an informed decision.

Result: After reevaluating the timeline with input from other team members, we agreed on a revised timeline that balanced both speed and quality. This not only improved team morale but also resulted in a successful launch of the feature with minimal issues. The team member appreciated the open communication and collaborative approach, which strengthened our working relationship.