Describe a time when you disagreed with, or had a conflict with someone. What happened? How did you address it? What was the outcome?
In one of Kira's videos, they state that one thing they hear from nearly all school programs is that they are looking for exceptional communicators. This is why communication is one of the core competencies they score applicants on. This question, in one form or another, is commonly used in Kira's assessments. Its purpose is to assess your communication skills as well as your conflict resolution skills. How a person answers this question could offer insights into whether they are emotionally mature and communicate non-defensively, or whether they respond emotionally and defensively in such situations.
This question is all about how you interpret it. Having a disagreement doesn't necessarily translate to conflict or a negative exchange. Also, a conflict can simply imply something is incompatible with something else, such as a scheduling conflict, or a conflict of interest. So, when answering this question, focus on the positives, and on professionalism, emotional maturity, and collaborative problem-solving. You want to come across as part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
"I recently worked on a group project where the individual who was appointed to lead the team wasn't effective in communicating with a very assertive member of the group. This individual was very spirited and at a certain point positioned themself in the leadership position which was contradictory to the project. So, I pointed out the situation and reminded everyone who was assigned to lead the group. The assertive individual then said something to the effect that our leader wasn't a good leader. I then suggested that this was a leadership learning opportunity for some of us, and a lesson in teamwork and collaboration for others. I think that confused them because at that point they fell silent. Ultimately, I felt it was my duty to speak up because I get along with everyone really well, and I am well-liked, and I felt comfortable doing so in a way that wouldn't offend anyone. So, from then on, we supported each other, and the project was a success."
According to their five-point scoring system, some of the things they'll be looking for in your answer to this question is to determine whether you show the ability to do the right thing, even in the most difficult situations or when no one is looking. They want to know whether you take ownership of your actions and hold yourself and others accountable to the same standards.
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