Tell us about a time when you had to handle a disagreement or resistance from a team member or colleague.
Business Development Associate Interview Questions
Sample answer to the question
I remember a situation where I had to handle a disagreement with a team member during a group project. We were tasked with developing a marketing campaign for a new product. One team member strongly believed that we should focus on social media advertising, while another team member thought that traditional print media would be more effective. Both team members were passionate about their ideas and refused to compromise. To address the disagreement, I organized a meeting where we could discuss each person's opinions and find a common ground. I encouraged open communication and actively listened to everyone's perspectives. After thorough discussion and debate, we eventually reached a consensus to integrate both social media and print media into our campaign. This decision allowed us to reach a wider audience and maximize our marketing efforts. By handling the disagreement in a collaborative and inclusive manner, we were able to successfully complete the project and achieve our goals.
A more solid answer
One memorable instance where I had to handle a disagreement or resistance from a team member was during a crucial client presentation. We had been working on a sales pitch for a major client, and tensions were running high as we were approaching our deadline. One of my colleagues had a different vision for the presentation, believing that we should focus more on the technical aspects, while I believed that emphasizing the client's business objectives would be more effective. Recognizing the importance of a unified pitch, I scheduled a meeting with my colleague to understand their perspective and to find common ground. During the meeting, I actively listened to their ideas and concerns, and I presented my own reasoning and evidence supporting a client-centric approach. Through open and respectful communication, we were able to reach a consensus on how to structure the presentation to effectively address both the technical and business aspects. The final presentation was a success, impressing the client and resulting in a significant contract. This experience taught me the value of active listening, open communication, and the ability to find common ground even in the face of disagreement.
Why this is a more solid answer:
The solid answer provides more specific details about the situation, including the context of a crucial client presentation and the deadline pressure. The answer also emphasizes the candidate's role in scheduling a meeting to address the disagreement and the impact of their actions on the success of the presentation. However, the answer could be improved by highlighting the candidate's problem-solving skills in finding a compromise and how they utilized their business acumen and interpersonal skills to handle the situation.
An exceptional answer
There was a time when I encountered resistance from a team member while leading a project to launch a new product line. This team member believed that we should pursue a more conservative marketing strategy, focusing on traditional advertising channels. However, I strongly believed that a digital-first approach would yield better results in reaching our target audience. To address this disagreement, I organized a meeting with the team member and other key stakeholders to discuss our respective ideas and present supporting data. I encouraged a healthy debate and considered everyone's input, aiming to find a solution that would benefit the overall success of the project. Through this process, I was able to convince the team member about the potential of a digital strategy and gain their support. We successfully executed the digital marketing campaign, which resulted in a significant increase in brand awareness and sales. This experience taught me the importance of effective communication, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to influence others in order to achieve a common goal.
Why this is an exceptional answer:
The exceptional answer provides a more detailed and comprehensive account of the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by the candidate in leading a project and encountering resistance from a team member. The candidate demonstrates their ability to organize a meeting with stakeholders, present data to support their ideas, and ultimately gain the team member's support. The answer also emphasizes the candidate's skills in effective communication, data-driven decision-making, and influencing others. However, the answer could be further improved by mentioning the specific actions taken to address the team member's concerns and how the candidate utilized their strong business acumen and problem-solving capability to navigate the disagreement.
How to prepare for this question
- Reflect on past experiences where you had to handle disagreements or resistance from team members or colleagues. Think about the specific context, the nature of the disagreement, and the actions you took to address it.
- Consider the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description, such as communication skills, problem-solving, and adaptability. Think about how you can demonstrate these skills in your answer.
- Practice delivering your answer in a calm and confident manner, emphasizing the steps you took to resolve the disagreement and the positive outcomes of your actions.
- Highlight your ability to listen actively, consider different perspectives, and find a compromise or common ground. These skills are essential in handling disagreements in a professional setting.
What interviewers are evaluating
- Communication Skills
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
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