Have you ever had a conflict with a boss? How was it resolved?
Uber is certainly a unique company that promotes staff to come up with bold ideas and prioritizes those ideas over the traditional corporate hierarchy. Your interviewer is aware that this can cause the type of conflict that can be considered positive in the workplace, to the point where manager and employee need to work out differing ideas together. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear about a time when you had a conflict with your leader. The most important pieces you can stress in your answer are the steps you took to come out with a positive outcome and that you learned things from that experience that you can bring to this job at Uber. Think of an example that can be viewed in a positive light, rather than one that potentially shows you as a difficult employee.
"I have been working under my current director for almost five years and we have a very healthy relationship where we can toss ideas back and forth. Honestly, this can at times lead to some healthy conflict. Last year in a team meeting, I proposed a new process for rolling out products via our website and my director was adamant that this was not a good idea. Later that day, we met so I could propose some thoughts on how I thought this could work. He still didn't think it was a good idea and used some good data to show my idea likely wouldn't work. Even though it was hard and I was convinced, in my mind, that the idea was good, I took his advice and relinquished the idea and moved forward."
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Anonymous Answer
Yes, I have with my current boss. For a while, I felt the relationship was deteriorating but I couldn't understand why. Then, one day my boss suddenly told me that he did not like how I question his orders so often. He gave me an example and I quickly realized the misunderstanding. Turns out he was telling me to do something and I would propose alternate courses of action or ask about the reason behind it. I immediately apologized for being perceived as too forward and explained that I always try to find better ways to do things and understand why something needs to be done. Ever since then, I have been phrasing my questions a bit more carefully and my boss patiently explains the answer now that we understand each other better. Our relationship is pretty good since then.
Marcie's Feedback
You've used the STAR method well here to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result. The interviewer will appreciate that you are the type of person who always thinks of better, more efficient ways to do things. Your example also shows that you're willing to make changes to adapt to your boss and their leadership style. Good response!
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