Tell me about a time you disagreed with your supervisor and how you handled it.
"The last time I disagreed with a supervisor was only a few days ago when our department was divided into teams to perform a priority fast-paced project with a quickly approaching deadline. My supervisor assigned everyone specific tasks. However, two individuals on our team, I felt, were assigned tasks that weren't in their wheelhouse and would slow down productivity, requiring a bit of hand-holding. I suggested four people be reassigned according to their unique skill sets and motivators. My supervisor asked me to gather those four individuals, and we had a quick huddle. He suggested my approach to them and asked them what they thought of it. They all uniformly agreed, and it was done. My supervisor thanked me and said they were grateful that they could always count on me to support the team. We came in ahead of our deadline and there were a lot of high-fives and pats on the back afterward."
This question not only tests your communication skills but also evaluates how well you work with those in positions of authority. Too often, people switch their jobs because they project their internal issues onto their external working environment. They feel the grass is greener on the other side and think their problems won't follow them to their next employment opportunity. Questions like these aim to reveal any red flags in these regards. Keep your answer focused on your sense of team collaboration while supporting the vision of your leaders.
Your answer could reveal your emotional intelligence, your view of the big picture, and how supportive you are of your company's vision. Convey a maturity that suggests you are all on the same side, working towards the same goal. Disagreeing with your superiors' approach to a problem is not necessarily a bad thing when you are helping them reach those shared goals faster. Display a positive attitude while communicating effectively and diplomatically.
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