Share a conflict you had to resolve.
Question Analysis
This question is designed to assess your conflict resolution skills. Interviewers are interested in understanding how you handle disagreements or disputes in a professional setting. They want to see your ability to navigate challenges, maintain professionalism, and achieve a positive outcome. When answering, it's important to demonstrate your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. Use the STAR method to provide a structured response:
- Situation: Describe the context of the conflict.
- Task: Explain your role in the situation.
- Action: Detail the steps you took to resolve the conflict.
- Result: Share the outcome and any learnings you gained.
Answer
Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, a conflict arose between two team members over the allocation of resources for a high-priority project. One member felt that the resources were being unfairly distributed, which was causing delays in their part of the project.
Task: As the project manager, it was my responsibility to ensure the project stayed on track while maintaining a harmonious team dynamic. I needed to address the conflict quickly to prevent further delays and ensure team cohesion.
Action: I scheduled a meeting with both team members to discuss the issue. During the meeting, I encouraged each person to express their concerns and listened actively. I acknowledged their feelings and demonstrated empathy. After understanding both perspectives, I proposed a compromise that involved reallocating some resources temporarily to balance the workload. Additionally, I suggested regular check-ins to monitor progress and ensure the solution was effective.
Result: The team members agreed to the proposed solution, which led to a more balanced workload and improved team morale. The project was completed on time, and the team members appreciated the opportunity to voice their concerns and felt more valued. This experience taught me the importance of open communication and active listening in resolving conflicts.