Have you ever been in a job interview and heard the question, “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss?” It might feel like a tricky one, right? You might worry that talking about disagreements could make you seem hard to work with. But don’t fret! Interviewers ask this to see how you handle conflicts and solve problems.
Differences of opinion happen all the time at work. Good employees don’t just follow orders without thinking—especially if something doesn’t feel right. But if you do disagree with your boss, it’s important to handle it respectfully and professionally.
Your answer to this question tells the interviewer a lot about you. They want to know how you communicate and if you’d be a good fit for their team. They also want to see how you might handle similar situations in the future.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to answer this question and avoid common mistakes. That way, you’ll feel confident the next time it comes up.
Sometimes, interviewers might ask the question in different ways, like:
- “What would you do if you disagreed with your boss?”
- “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager.”
- “How would you handle it if you had a conflict with a superior?”
No matter how they ask, we’re here to help you craft a great response!
What hiring managers want to hear when you disagree with your boss
When interviewers ask about a time you disagreed with your boss, they’re trying to see how you handle tricky situations. They want to know if you can speak up politely and explain your thoughts clearly.
Good communication is super important. Hiring managers are looking for people who can share their ideas without causing problems. They want to see that you can talk to your boss in a respectful way, even when you don’t see eye to eye.
Remember, your boss is in charge at the end of the day. Showing respect means you understand this. Interviewers want to feel confident that you can express your viewpoints while still following the rules.
They’re also checking if you can work well with others. If you can handle disagreements nicely, it shows you can be a good team player. By balancing your own ideas with respect for your boss, you’ll make them feel good about having you on their team.
How to answer “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss”
Take a moment to think
When an interviewer asks you this question, it’s okay to pause and think. If you answer too quickly, it might seem like you often disagree with your boss or that you’ve practiced this answer a lot. To show that disagreements aren’t something that happens all the time, you can say, “Let me think about that for a moment.” This tells the interviewer that you take the question seriously and that such situations are rare for you.
Share a story where everyone wins
Choose a story where both you and your boss worked together to solve a problem. You don’t want to talk about times when you went over your boss’s head or made them look bad. Instead, pick an example where you and your boss had different ideas but found a solution that made both of you happy.
For example, maybe you and your boss disagreed on how to approach a project. You thought one way was better, and your boss had another idea. You decided to talk to your boss privately. You listened to their reasons and shared your thoughts too. Together, you came up with a plan that used the best parts of both ideas. In the end, the project was a success because you worked as a team.
Show off your conflict resolution skills
This question is a great chance to show how you handle disagreements nicely. Here are some things you can mention:
- Open and honest communication: Explain how you talked to your boss respectfully and shared your thoughts clearly.
- “I scheduled a meeting with my boss to discuss my ideas. I made sure to speak politely and explain why I thought my approach could help.”
- Active listening: Show that you listened to your boss’s ideas too.
- “I listened carefully to my boss’s perspective to understand their point of view.”
- Looking for a middle ground: Talk about how you tried to find a solution that worked for everyone
- “We brainstormed together and found a way to combine our ideas for the best result.”
- Staying positive and not blaming: Emphasize that you focused on solving the problem, not on who was right or wrong.
- “I made sure not to blame anyone. Instead, I focused on how we could make the project better.”
By sharing a story like this, you show the interviewer that you can handle disagreements in a mature and friendly way. It proves that you can work well with others, respect your boss, and contribute positively to the team.
How not to answer
Saying it never happens
If you tell the interviewer that you’ve never disagreed with a boss, it might not sound truthful. Everyone has different ideas sometimes, and that’s okay! Saying you’ve never had a disagreement can make them wonder if you’re not being honest or if you’re afraid to speak up.
Be honest about your experience. If you don’t have a real story, explain how you would act in that situation. You can say, “I haven’t experienced this in a job yet, but if I did, I would…”
Badmouthing your boss
It’s important not to say bad things about your boss or blame them. Even if you had a tough time, the interview isn’t the place to complain. Keep your tone positive and focus on how you worked to solve the problem.
- Bad example: “My last boss and I always disagreed because he was so unfair.”
- Good example: “There was a time when my boss and I had different ideas about a project. I thought it might help to share my perspective.”
Sharing a story where you “win”
Avoid telling a story where you “beat” your boss or proved them wrong. This might make the interviewer think you have trouble respecting authority. Instead, Emphasize teamwork and mutual respect in your story.
- Bad example: “I knew my idea was better, so I kept pushing until my boss agreed.”
- Good example: “My boss had one idea, and I had another. We discussed both and found a way to combine them for the best result.”
Sample answers to “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss”
Example #1
“During my internship last summer, I was helping plan our team’s schedule for a big conference. I suggested that we arrive a day early so we could meet and network with other professionals before the sessions started. My boss decided to book our trip for a day later to save on costs. I was concerned we might miss valuable networking opportunities, so I asked to speak with her privately.
I explained that many people arrive early to these events and that networking beforehand could help us make important connections. She hadn’t realized that the early day was so significant. After our conversation, she agreed to adjust our travel plans. Because of that extra day, we met several potential clients, and it really boosted our team’s success at the conference.”
Why this works:
- Respectful communication: You approached your boss politely and shared your concerns without blaming.
- Problem-solving: You offered a clear reason for your suggestion, showing foresight and initiative.
- Positive outcome: The story ends with a success that benefited the team and company.
- Team player: You were thinking about the team’s opportunities, not just your own.
Example #2
“If I ever disagreed with my boss, I would first ask to talk with them one-on-one when they had a moment. I would calmly explain my thoughts and provide any information that might help them see my perspective. For example, if I thought a different approach might work better on a project, I would share my ideas and explain why.
I would make sure to listen carefully to their point of view, too. They might have reasons I hadn’t considered. Even if we didn’t end up doing things my way, I would respect their decision because I know they have the bigger picture in mind. My goal would be to support the team and do my best with whatever choice is made.”
Why this works:
- Shows maturity: You explain a thoughtful approach to handling disagreements.
- Emphasizes communication skills: Highlighting both sharing and listening demonstrates good teamwork.
- Respects authority: Acknowledging your boss’s final decision shows professionalism.
- Positive attitude: You’re focused on supporting the team, regardless of the outcome.
Example #3
“In my first job after graduating, I was working on a project where my manager wanted to use a specific software tool. I had learned about a newer tool in school that I thought might work better for what we needed. I requested a meeting with my manager to discuss it.
During our conversation, I demonstrated how the new tool could save us time and improve our results. I even offered to set up a small test to compare the two. My manager appreciated that I brought a solution and data to support it. We decided to give the new tool a try, and it ended up making the project more efficient.”
Why this works:
- Proactive approach: You didn’t just disagree; you offered a well-thought-out alternative.
- Use of knowledge: Applying what you learned in school shows initiative and a desire to contribute.
- Collaboration: You involved your manager in the decision and respected their openness.
- Positive result: The new tool improved the project, benefiting the whole team.
As you give your answer, maintain a positive tone. If you’re describing a real-life experience, avoid getting into too many details that could affect the interviewer’s interpretation of what happened. Less is more; focus your answer on clear communication, respect, and a mutually agreeable resolution.