Tell me about a time you experienced a conflict with a colleague.
"I was helping a coworker prepare their past-due taxes. They basically bribed me and said it would take no time at all, and we could even do it that night over drinks and dinner, and they'd buy. I agreed. We were friends, after all. Well, as soon as I got started, it was clear they didn't know what they were doing, and they continually challenged my help by projecting their fears at me. They kept going back and forth from being ingratiating to defensive. These things happen, and I understood where their responses were coming from. So I kept at it, asking questions, fixing all their mistakes and missed opportunities along the way, actively listening to them over explain everything I wasn't asking. Mostly, I just remained patient, assuring them I was doing everything I could to help them navigate their situation. My drink just sat there until I was finished. They got through three rounds by the time I took my first sip. It was that kind of night. After it was all done, things lightened up, and we had a few good laughs."
This question is layered and can be interpreted in many ways. How you interpret this question will give your interviewer insight into your outlook on the world. Not only is the interviewer trying to get an idea of who you are, but also an idea of your communication skills. It could also serve to inform them about what you perceive as a conflict. They're keeping a keen eye out for any red flags. In the simplest terms, in this scenario, the last thing you want is to plant the seed that the difficult person in this scenario was you.
This question is meant to assist in evaluating your non-defensive communication skills, and your aptitude for diplomacy, de-escalation, and negotiation. Take care to exemplify this mentality. When relaying your example of a conflict, pay close attention to the nuance of this question. They want to know your reaction to the situation, and how you communicated. Avoid assigning blame. You don't want to come across as part of the reason you and this difficult didn't get along. Rather, focus on the positives, and how the overall outcome benefitted the team. You want to come across as a people person with enhanced communication skills. Objectify the situation, exhibiting an emotionally mature perspective, and how you navigated this terrain, ultimately leading to a successful resolution.
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