Tell me about a time you disagreed with your collaborators. How did you work through it?
Overview
Business analysts often need to influence others even when they don’t have authority. The interviewer is looking to assess soft skills like your ability to collaborate, communicate, and resolve differences with your peers.
Answer framework
Stay objective
This is not the time to rant or air your dirty laundry. Approach your answer from an objective, third-party view. Share the context, walk them through the situation, and outline the divergent points of view.
Focus on solutions
Show that you can disagree without being disagreeable. Interviewers want to know you can find resolution while maintaining your professional relationships.
Make it about the company
You don’t have to choose an example where you won. This question is about the value of ideas, not the forcefulness of the argument. Show how you arrived at the best solution for the business.
Sample answers
I find that when I’m in a disagreement, it’s important to focus on the value of the ideas, rather than the force of the argument. I once had a spirited debate with a colleague over a performance rating for someone in our organization. These conversations can quickly feel personal, especially when the person being discussed reports to you, or the two of you have a close working relationship. In this situation though, I reminded myself to be humble in my opinions and focus on facts versus feelings. I took time to ask questions of my colleague. In doing so, I learned their perspective and was able to understand how they’d come to their conclusion. Their argument had merits. I presented my counter points, which were supported by facts and personal experiences. After some back and forth, we each realized that we each only had part of the story. With a new comprehensive view, we aligned on a performance rating that took all factors into account. We left the discussion feeling heard and that the result reflected both of our viewpoints. Why this answer worked well: The candidate outlined how they avoid taking disagreements personally. The answer showed a willingness to change perspective when new information is presented.
Tips
- Avoid sharing excessive detail about the disagreement.
- Focus on how you approach negotiation.
- Prioritize what’s right for the organization.