If you had a conflict with one of your co-workers, how would you go about solving it?

What You Need to Know
Answer Example

This question is layered. Not only is the interviewer trying to get an idea of who you are, but also a sense of your communication skills and your team mentality. Display yourself as someone who sees the big picture and fosters an amenable collaborative environment, accepting everyone on your team universally, regardless of whether you'd be friends outside of work.

The last thing you want to do is inadvertently suggest you were the reason you didn't get along. Objectify the situation, assigning no blame, exhibiting a high EQ, how you managed the situation, ultimately through enhanced communication skills, ultimately leading to a successful resolution. Focus on the positives, and how the overall outcome benefitted the team.

"Well, I'd first try to better understand what triggered the source of the conflict. I am averse to conflict, and frequently confused by it when it occurs. I normally find that the conflict itself typically has nothing to do with the context it's presented with. Especially when the reaction is disproportionate to the action that elicited it. So, I start by actively listening to what the other person has to say. I never draw conclusions and just continue asking questions. Stuff like, 'So what you're saying is that you are upset because of XYZ? And what about that upset you? So you're saying you interpreted that statement as?' and I'd just keep getting to the bottom of it. Normally, some other underlying frustration was fueling that reaction. I want everyone to enjoy coming into work, and to feel invigoration by our interactions and collaboration. So any time I feel that is off balance, I do everything I can to restore that balance. The best way to do that is to give them a chance to feel heard, empathized with and validated, and clear the fog or muddy waters from there."

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How to Answer: If you had a conflict with one of your co-workers, how would you go about solving it?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Nike job interview.

18. If you had a conflict with one of your co-workers, how would you go about solving it?

What You Need to Know

This question is layered. Not only is the interviewer trying to get an idea of who you are, but also a sense of your communication skills and your team mentality. Display yourself as someone who sees the big picture and fosters an amenable collaborative environment, accepting everyone on your team universally, regardless of whether you'd be friends outside of work.

The last thing you want to do is inadvertently suggest you were the reason you didn't get along. Objectify the situation, assigning no blame, exhibiting a high EQ, how you managed the situation, ultimately through enhanced communication skills, ultimately leading to a successful resolution. Focus on the positives, and how the overall outcome benefitted the team.

Written by Kevin Downey on July 20th, 2022

Answer Example

"Well, I'd first try to better understand what triggered the source of the conflict. I am averse to conflict, and frequently confused by it when it occurs. I normally find that the conflict itself typically has nothing to do with the context it's presented with. Especially when the reaction is disproportionate to the action that elicited it. So, I start by actively listening to what the other person has to say. I never draw conclusions and just continue asking questions. Stuff like, 'So what you're saying is that you are upset because of XYZ? And what about that upset you? So you're saying you interpreted that statement as?' and I'd just keep getting to the bottom of it. Normally, some other underlying frustration was fueling that reaction. I want everyone to enjoy coming into work, and to feel invigoration by our interactions and collaboration. So any time I feel that is off balance, I do everything I can to restore that balance. The best way to do that is to give them a chance to feel heard, empathized with and validated, and clear the fog or muddy waters from there."

Written by Kevin Downey on July 20th, 2022

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