Show that you have empathy and conflict resolution skills, particularly if you're interviewing for a manager role. To answer this question successfully, assure your interviewer that you are a good listener and can accept opposing views without getting upset. Past behavior often indicates how you would react to comparable future situations, so provide a real-life example. Emphasize the resolution that took place rather than dwelling on the conflict itself. Use the STAR approach when answering this question.

"I was working as a project manager on a marketing project, and one of the junior marketing coordinators was constantly late finishing tasks. When I approached her about it, she reacted defensively. I kept calm, acknowledged that the deadlines were challenging, and asked how I could assist her in improving her performance. We found a safe space to talk, and she calmed down. She told me that she was involved in another project with tasks that were not in her job description. After a meeting with the other project manager, we came to a resolution that alleviated her workload. For the remainder of the project, she delivered great work."