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Handle value conflicts and disagreeing with leadership

PalantirSoftware Engineer · Onsite
MediumSoftware EngineerOnsiteBehavioral & Leadership

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This question evaluates ethical judgment, professional disagreement, stakeholder communication, and ownership/accountability within leadership and team contexts for software engineers.

Behavioral / Values prompts

Answer the following with specific examples (use the STAR method):

  1. Have you ever made a decision that was “politically incorrect but technically correct”? What happened and how did you handle stakeholders?
  2. If the company direction conflicts with your values, what would you do?
  3. Have you ever refused a decision from your manager/leader? Why, and what did you do instead?

What interviewers are evaluating

  • Judgment and ethics
  • Ability to disagree professionally
  • Communication and stakeholder management
  • Ownership and accountability (especially around preventing harm)