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When you had to disagree or oppose your manager at work

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 277 with Model Answer:

Describe a time when you had to disagree or oppose your manager at work.

You should say:
  • what it was about
  • why you had to disagree or oppose your manager
  • how you felt after that
and explain what the outcome of this was.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]


Model Answer 1:

Introduction:
In our professional life, there come situations when we have to rely on our instincts even if it means that we need to contradict or oppose our superiors. Today, for this topic, I will talk about one such event when I had to oppose my manager in my office.

What it was about:
It was about two years ago, and I was working under my manager - Mr David, in a manufacturing company as a junior executive. Even though I was capable enough, and I believe I had proved that several times, my manager thought that I was better off from my main duty and act as his personal secretary. I, in fact, had been doing exactly that for the past six months back then, and I was planning to move on to the next level and contribute more and learn from my work. However, my manager did not believe that someone, no matter their skills and passion, is capable of doing so before they gain at least one year's experience. So I had to oppose him and strongly suggest to him that I was ready to start doing some real work. 

Why you had to disagree or oppose your manager:
I still believe that my manager was a great person and a very skilled employee, but he was a bit traditional when it comes to treating junior employees. After joining this company, I just worked on my manager's personal stuff like preparing something in MS Excel, sending a few emails, making meeting agendas and passing notes to other departments. Those were necessary work but as an engineering graduate, I was not supposed to do only that. So when I felt that I was not allowed to perform my real duty and that would harm my future career, I opposed my manager's decision politely but strongly.

How you felt after that:
When I planned that I would disagree with my manager on that issue, I was very nervous and a bit intimidated too. So I took a few days, tried to persuade myself and then talk to my manager when two other superiors were also present. After I did confront my manager and expressed myself, I was a bit worried that he could fire me, but I also felt relieved that I could stand for something I thought was logical and important. 

And explain what the outcome of this was:
And as an outcome of this event, I was transferred to one of our factories where I could work with the production team, contribute to my company through my work and skill, and be satisfied with my day-to-day work as I was learning every day. Later, I had a very frank discussion with my manager - Mr David, and we had a great relationship till I worked in this company.
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