Describe a time you experienced conflict with a client.
"I recently worked with a client who was resistant to moving their solution to a cloud-based architecture. Our company is in the process of transitioning all of our clients to this model. I manage the account, and the CIO of the company let me know they were disappointed with our decision and would not be open to moving their system to the cloud.
I let him know I respected his opinion and was interested in learning more about his concerns with cloud-hosted solutions. He outlined several reasonable concerns as well as a few issues based on common misconceptions. I thanked him for his honesty and asked if he would be willing to discuss the matter further after I had a chance to put together a thoughtful response. He agreed.
I worked with our technical team to address the points he raised and outline the known pros and cons of moving to our proposed solution. I delivered the presentation, and the CIO thanked me for approaching the situation with care, honesty, and integrity. He eventually moved to the new solution, and I gained valuable experience in easing the fears of our concerned clients."
The way a professional handles themselves in the face of conflict with a client is very telling. The Kellogg MBA program has a reputation for developing excellent business leaders, and client management skills are a must for any business leader. Convince your interviewer you can handle yourself in the face of conflict and that you are ready to take your skills to the next level.
Offer your interviewer a brief background on the conflict you experienced with your client and outline the steps you took to resolve it. Finally, walk your interviewer through the results of your actions. Be sure to touch upon your ability to effectively listen and empathize with your client.
It is best to describe a time when the conflict was resolved positively. Your interviewers are experienced and know that even the best professionals have conflicts that cannot be resolved from time to time. However, those stories are a better fit for discussion with your peers.
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