Behavioral
Tell me about a time when you had to finish a project with someone you didn't get along with.
Data ScientistFrontend EngineerSoftware EngineerProduct Manager
TikTok
Shopify
DoorDash
Stripe
Apple
Palantir Technologies
Answers
Anonymous
5 months ago
In my previous role, I was assigned to collaborate on a high-stakes marketing campaign with a colleague whose approach to work was quite different from mine. I prefer structure and clear timelines, while they leaned toward a more flexible, improvisational style. Initially, this led to friction, as we disagreed on priorities and had different interpretations of the project’s scope. However, I knew that the project’s success depended on our cooperation, so I focused on finding common ground.
First, I proposed that we set a few core milestones together to keep us both accountable, which helped create some mutual respect. I also made an effort to listen to their ideas without judgment and tried to incorporate their creative insights, which ultimately enhanced the project. In turn, they became more receptive to my organizational suggestions, which streamlined our workflow. By shifting my focus from our differences to our shared goal, I learned how to adapt my collaboration style. We successfully met the project deadline, and the campaign was well-received by our client. Working through this experience not only improved my teamwork skills but also taught me the value of flexibility and open-mindedness in professional relationships.
Anonymous
8 months ago
In a cross-functional project, I worked with a senior engineer who was known for dominating discussions and dismissing others' ideas, which impacted team collaboration. I believe in an inclusive and collaborative environment where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas. I spoke with the senior engineer privately to address their behavior and its impact on the team's ability to collaborate. I emphasized the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of allowing everyone a chance to speak. I also established ground rules for team meetings to encourage balanced participation from all members. The senior engineer took the feedback positively and started asking for others' opinions during discussions, which significantly improved our team dynamics. This led to a more open and inclusive environment, resulting in better ideas and a successful project completion. From this experience, I learned the importance of addressing conflicts immediately and constructively, which I've since applied in my professional interactions
Anonymous
8 months ago
I think patience and trust among each other as coworkers is very important here. I was working with a front end developer who just wasn’t delivering the user stories on time. Because I was owning the design to development of the project and we were putting in effort to plan sprint in order to meet deadline for our launch, In think situation I was at first patient with him. We also had a time difference but I sat outside my hours some days to collaborate and understand what issues he was facing. If it was the feasibility of the work or something to do with planning or even personal life. Well unfortunately I did cone to know after having several connect with him that he was actually battling cancer and I did not know at first how to react. But we kept it going, he ensured that he was still taking on work for the next few months and that it would not have an impact, so well I planned the design sprint better, delegated tasks to other designers as well so that we could balance and fill in for one another to empathize but also achieve goals
Anonymous
8 months ago
A Challenging Collaboration: Navigating Differences for Project Success
Background of the Situation
In a previous role as a project manager at a mid-sized tech company, I was tasked with leading a team to develop a new software application. Among my colleagues was Alex, a senior developer whose expertise was crucial for the project’s success. However, our working relationship had been strained due to differing communication styles and conflicting opinions on project priorities. While I preferred a collaborative approach that encouraged open dialogue, Alex often favored a more independent style, which led to misunderstandings and frustration.
Identifying the Issues
As we began the project, it became clear that our differences were affecting team dynamics. Meetings often felt tense; I would present ideas and seek feedback, but Alex would dismiss suggestions without providing constructive input. This not only hindered progress but also created an uncomfortable atmosphere for other team members. Recognizing that this situation could jeopardize the project’s success, I decided it was essential to address our differences head-on.
Taking Initiative to Resolve Conflicts
To resolve our issues, I initiated a one-on-one meeting with Alex outside of the usual project discussions. My goal was to create an open space where we could express our concerns without the pressure of deadlines or team dynamics influencing our conversation. During this meeting, I focused on active listening—allowing Alex to share his perspective on our collaboration challenges.
I acknowledged his expertise and expressed my appreciation for his contributions while also sharing how his communication style affected my ability to lead effectively. By framing my concerns in terms of how they impacted the project rather than making it personal, I aimed to foster understanding rather than defensiveness.
Finding Common Ground
During our discussion, we discovered that both of us were committed to delivering high-quality work but had different approaches to achieving that goal. We agreed that while independence is valuable in development work, collaboration is equally important in ensuring alignment with project objectives.
To bridge this gap, we established some ground rules for our interactions moving forward:
- Regular Check-Ins: We scheduled brief daily stand-up meetings where we could discuss progress and any roadblocks openly.
- Feedback Loop: We agreed on a structured feedback process where both of us would provide input on each other’s work before final decisions were made.
- Shared Goals: We defined clear milestones and outcomes for the project that aligned with both of our expectations.
Implementing Changes and Moving Forward
With these new strategies in place, we began to see improvements in our working relationship almost immediately. The daily check-ins allowed us to stay aligned and address any issues before they escalated into larger conflicts. The feedback loop fostered mutual respect as we recognized each other’s strengths and contributions.
As we progressed through the project phases—designing user interfaces, coding functionalities, and conducting testing—we found ourselves collaborating more effectively than ever before. Our combined efforts led not only to timely completion of the software application but also resulted in a product that exceeded initial expectations.
Reflection on the Experience
This experience taught me valuable lessons about conflict resolution and teamwork:
- Open Communication is Key: Addressing issues directly can prevent misunderstandings from festering.
- Empathy Fosters Collaboration: Understanding each other’s perspectives can lead to more effective partnerships.
- Flexibility is Essential: Being willing to adapt one’s approach can significantly enhance team dynamics.
Ultimately, by confronting our differences constructively and focusing on shared goals, Alex and I transformed what could have been a detrimental working relationship into one characterized by respect and collaboration.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
- Harvard Business Review
- Forbes
- MindTools
Anonymous
9 months ago
I led a project at XXX to transition engineering support to a DevOps mode., I experienced a lot of pushback and resistance, especially from some team members who had been in their legacy roles for many years. I was able to pull a cross functional team together in a 2 day face to face meeting where we used value stream mapping as a collaboration exercise to show the current process and identify and highlight areas of optimization. In the end we were able to demonstrate to the team the value in the organizational change, which reduced our mean time to resolution for customer facing incidents.
Anonymous
10 months ago
Although I pride myself in getting along with my coworkers, I was given an assignment to work with an coworker that I didn't get along with. We sat down and discussed how we could work together to role out the new process and agreed to work through implementing best top two ideas. We completed the project which led to a new process being implemented to improve customer satisfaction
Anonymous
10 months ago
Fortunately I have not had that experience. I belive being respectful and polite provides a stress-free workplace to collaborate.
Anonymous
10 months ago
At Auctane, I worked with a director of Cloud Engineering who had a different working style, which created a challenging power dynamic. To navigate this, I adopted a very objective approach in my interactions with his team.
First, I clearly defined my requests and needs. Then, I shared a detailed document outlining these requests, along with any questions he might have. This ensured that all information was presented in a structured and transparent manner.
By focusing the discussion on the specific tasks and requirements, we were able to maintain a productive dialogue and achieve our objectives despite our differing styles. This approach allowed us to complete most tasks efficiently and minimized the impact of our differences.
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Try AI Interview NowInterview question asked to Program Managers, Software Engineers, Solutions Engineers and other roles interviewing at Lydia, Guild Education, thredUP and others: Tell me about a time when you had to finish a project with someone you didn't get along with..
