Can you share a time when you had to disagree with someone's approach?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle conflict and disagreement in a professional setting. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle situations where you have differing opinions from others, how you communicate your perspective, and how you work towards a resolution. They are looking for examples of your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and professionalism when dealing with conflicts. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: At my previous job as a project manager, we were working on a critical project with a tight deadline. One of the team members proposed a new approach to streamline the workflow, which involved significantly changing the existing processes.

Task: My responsibility was to evaluate the proposed changes and ensure that the project would still meet the deadline without compromising on quality.

Action: After reviewing the proposed approach, I identified potential risks that could delay the project, such as additional training time required for team members and integration issues with existing systems. I scheduled a meeting with the team member to discuss my concerns. I acknowledged the potential benefits of their approach but explained the risks involved. I suggested an alternative solution that incorporated some of their ideas while mitigating the risks. I also encouraged open discussion with the rest of the team to ensure everyone had input on the decision.

Result: Ultimately, we developed a hybrid approach that improved efficiency without affecting the project timeline. The team member appreciated my feedback, and we maintained a positive working relationship. The project was completed on time, and the client was very satisfied with the results.