Describe a time when you encountered a conflict with a colleague or team member. How did you handle it?

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Describe a time when you encountered a conflict with a colleague or team member. How did you handle it?
Sample answer to the question:
I once encountered a conflict with a colleague when we had a disagreement on how to approach a community health project. They wanted to focus solely on educational materials, while I believed that hands-on demonstrations would be more effective. To handle the conflict, I scheduled a meeting with my colleague to discuss our differing opinions. We both shared our perspectives and listened to each other's reasoning. Eventually, we came to a compromise where we integrated both approaches into the project. This conflict helped us realize the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of collaboration in achieving our goals.
Here is a more solid answer:
A significant conflict arose with a colleague during the planning phase of a community health project. We had differing opinions on the best approach to engage the community. They believed that distributing educational materials would suffice, while I advocated for a more interactive and hands-on approach. Recognizing the need for open communication, I scheduled a meeting to address the conflict. During the meeting, we both expressed our perspectives and listened attentively to each other. I emphasized the importance of engaging the community through interactive demonstrations to enhance understanding and participation. After a thoughtful discussion, we reached a compromise: integrating both approaches into the project. We created and distributed educational materials while also organizing practical demonstrations. This experience taught us the value of diverse perspectives and the power of collaboration in achieving our shared goals.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provides more specific details about the conflict and highlights the importance of open communication and collaboration. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to handle conflicts effectively and find compromises. However, it could further emphasize the impact of the conflict resolution and provide more details on the project's success.
An example of a exceptional answer:
During a community health project, I faced a conflict with a team member regarding our roles and responsibilities. We were both passionate about contributing to the project's success, but had differing ideas on how to allocate tasks and resources. To address the conflict, I initiated a one-on-one meeting with the team member to discuss our concerns openly. I focused on active listening and understanding their perspective. Through empathetic communication, we identified our individual strengths and areas of interest. We then proposed a revised plan that took into account each person's expertise and interests, ensuring a more equitable distribution of tasks. This conflict resolution not only fostered a stronger working relationship but also resulted in increased efficiency and improved outcomes for the project. By embracing our differences and leveraging our diverse skills, we successfully delivered the project within the set timeline, exceeding our goals and receiving positive feedback from the community we served.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer provides a detailed account of a conflict experienced during a community health project, highlighting the candidate's exceptional conflict resolution skills. It emphasizes active listening, empathy, and the ability to find win-win solutions. The answer also describes the positive outcomes and impact of the conflict resolution. However, it could provide more specific details about the project, such as the nature of the conflict, the goals of the project, and the specific positive feedback received from the community.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on past experiences where conflicts or disagreements arose with colleagues or team members. Consider the specific situation, the impact it had, and how you handled it.
  • Think about the communication and collaboration skills you utilized to resolve conflicts. Consider examples of active listening, empathy, and finding compromises.
  • Consider the value of diverse perspectives in conflict resolution and the importance of maintaining positive working relationships.
  • Practice answering this question using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide clear and structured responses.
  • Highlight the positive outcomes and impact of the conflict resolution in your response. Discuss how it improved teamwork, efficiency, or achieved project goals.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Communication
  • Collaboration

Want content like this in your inbox?
Sign Up for our Newsletter

By clicking "Sign up" you consent and agree to Jobya's Terms & Privacy policies

Related Interview Questions