How do you successfully interact with challenging customers or coworkers?
The interviewer wants to know how you interact with customers or coworkers who may have challenging personalities or significant demands. Think back to a client whom you can never seem to please fully. Maybe you have a coworker who is incredibly brief in their communication. Showcase your ability to work harmoniously with people who may have different communication styles from yourself. This question is not the time to speak poorly of a boss, coworker, or client. Focus your answer more on what you do to turn a challenging situation into a positive one.
"I am very flexible in my approach when I face a challenging individual. The most difficult person I ever worked with was my boss a few years back. She was not receptive to new ideas; however, she did have a lot of approaches that were tried and true. I tried to make recommendations but quickly realized that she would only listen when she saw an element of what she knew included in the pitch. I started to pitch ideas that piggy-backed on our old way of doing things. This approach was an excellent workaround, and we collaborated well for many years."
"If I come across a challenging customer or coworker, I continue to be my genuine self. People often come around when they feel the warmth and acceptance from the other person. If someone is especially difficult, I will approach them about the situation and ask how they feel we could better collaborate."
