Have you ever faced a challenging situation where you had to work with a colleague you didn't have a good relationship with? Please share details.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you handle working relationships, especially when they are not ideal. They want to know if you can maintain professionalism and collaborate effectively despite personal differences. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a useful framework to structure your response.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager at XYZ Company, I was tasked with leading a critical project that required collaboration with multiple departments. One key team member from the IT department was someone I didn't have a strong relationship with due to past disagreements on project priorities.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that the project progressed smoothly and met its deadlines. This required effective collaboration with all team members, including the colleague with whom I had a strained relationship.

Action: I initiated a one-on-one meeting with this colleague to address any underlying issues and to better understand his perspective. During the conversation, I actively listened to his concerns and clarified the project's goals and how his expertise was crucial to its success. I made a conscious effort to align our priorities and sought his input in decision-making processes, which helped in building mutual respect.

Result: As a result of these efforts, our working relationship improved significantly, leading to enhanced communication and collaboration. The project was completed on time and exceeded the client's expectations, thanks in part to the effective teamwork we achieved. This experience taught me the importance of proactive communication and empathy in resolving workplace conflicts.