Do you think it is possible to be a good team member yet disagree with a leader?
Your interviewer wants to know how supportive you are of the team or the team's vision and to what lengths you would go to do the right thing. Sometimes, doing the right thing isn't easy and requires a degree of diplomacy and advanced communication skills. How you answer could also potentially inform your interviewer how well you get along with those in positions of authority. Cerner states online that they "encourage our associates to share their ideas, take initiative and be accountable for their work." So when answering this question, describe how you aim to advance and support your team's goals, offer your superiors alternate suggestions, and respect their ultimate decisions, whether they accept your suggestions or not, removing your ego from the equation.
"I think it is possible to be a great team member, even when disagreeing with the leader. It's all in how you maintain respect for each other despite the difference in opinion."
"Yes, I think it is possible! What makes a great team member is not that they agree with everything but the level of respect and positive thought that goes into the person's communication style. It's okay to disagree; you just have to communicate your thoughts professionally."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Yes, it is possible to be a good team member even though he disagrees. With mutual respect and understanding towards a leader keeping the best intentions towards the project. He can disagree with certain decisions. As a project manager, it is essential to listen and then discuss to agree or dismiss his point of view.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good answer! Just a couple of small tweaks to help with context for your interview. When mentioning "he" or "she," you will want to give some background so the interviewer can follow along.
"Yes, I believe it is possible to be a good team member yet disagree with the leader. In my current role, my boss and I do not always agree. With mutual respect and an understanding that we each have the best intentions, we can still work together very well. As a project manager, it is essential that I listen to my boss and then discuss points of view as needed."
Anonymous Answer
I absolutely do. I think that it's important to maintain respect for each other even with a difference of opinion. It's still possible to work effectively as long as clear communication is expressed.
Rachelle's Feedback
You are 100% correct in saying so! Do you have a brief story example of a time when you had to deploy this approach with a leader?
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