Strategy Statement:
The interviewer needs to know about your managerial talents and skills, but also whether you are a realist. No workplace is ever free of conflict, and any type of Utopian response will be seen as slightly delusional.
Sample Response:
I have two steps that I take when first dealing with conflict. The first thing I do is disengage my emotional response, allowing for clear, rationale thinking and logic. The second step I take is to address the source of the conflict as openly, honestly and directly as possible. In a matter regarding a personal property issue, I benefitted from taking “time off” to cool down and clearly list my concerns. I then requested some time with the individual involved, clearly stating what it was that I wanted to discuss. By referring to this list when working out a compromise, I was able to disengage my emotional processing. The two of us then also had a working document to refer to in seeking a resolution to our situation.
Copyright 2010. North Pacific Technology Group LLC. All rights reserved.
The interviewer needs to know about your managerial talents and skills, but also whether you are a realist. No workplace is ever free of conflict, and any type of Utopian response will be seen as slightly delusional.
Sample Response:
I have two steps that I take when first dealing with conflict. The first thing I do is disengage my emotional response, allowing for clear, rationale thinking and logic. The second step I take is to address the source of the conflict as openly, honestly and directly as possible. In a matter regarding a personal property issue, I benefitted from taking “time off” to cool down and clearly list my concerns. I then requested some time with the individual involved, clearly stating what it was that I wanted to discuss. By referring to this list when working out a compromise, I was able to disengage my emotional processing. The two of us then also had a working document to refer to in seeking a resolution to our situation.
Copyright 2010. North Pacific Technology Group LLC. All rights reserved.
Unfortunately, conflict is inevitable. I have found it most beneficial to go the ‘the source’ of conflict whenever possible. Often, conflict is simply the result of mis-communication and/or misunderstanding, and these cases can only be resolved face-to-face.
When involved in conflict, I identify my own role and responsibility to the conflict. In voicing this, I demonstrate a desire to be accountable for those things I have caused.. This facilitates a less-defensive atmosphere, which can only serve to lead to a quicker resolution.