How do you manage conflict situations when they occur?

What You Need to Know
Experienced Example

Your interviewer asks this question to assess your emotional intelligence, sense of empathy, and communication and mediation skills. So showcase your ability and your process to empathetically engaging through non-defensive communication. Break down all the steps you take and how you aim to build trust and build relationships while on the job.

"There will always be those who react through a fear-based mentality. More often than not, job insecurity is just insecurity. So it is important to nip that in the bud to engage and communicate clearly. The messaging has to be clear, everyone has to be heard, and everyone needs to get on board. So, when I sense conflict, I approach it with no defenses, an open posture, clear language, and transparency. You have to re-establish trust. So I ask questions of the individual with the defensive posturing, validate, mirror, and make them feel heard. I clarify, empathize, and showcase trust in their views and fears. I then bring them inside my view, behind the curtain, if you will. I share the vision with encouragement and offer them a share in the stakes. Once I've done that, it grows increasingly easy from there."

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How to Answer: How do you manage conflict situations when they occur?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Management Analyst job interview.

18. How do you manage conflict situations when they occur?

What You Need to Know

Your interviewer asks this question to assess your emotional intelligence, sense of empathy, and communication and mediation skills. So showcase your ability and your process to empathetically engaging through non-defensive communication. Break down all the steps you take and how you aim to build trust and build relationships while on the job.

Written by Kevin Downey on July 25th, 2023

Experienced Example

"There will always be those who react through a fear-based mentality. More often than not, job insecurity is just insecurity. So it is important to nip that in the bud to engage and communicate clearly. The messaging has to be clear, everyone has to be heard, and everyone needs to get on board. So, when I sense conflict, I approach it with no defenses, an open posture, clear language, and transparency. You have to re-establish trust. So I ask questions of the individual with the defensive posturing, validate, mirror, and make them feel heard. I clarify, empathize, and showcase trust in their views and fears. I then bring them inside my view, behind the curtain, if you will. I share the vision with encouragement and offer them a share in the stakes. Once I've done that, it grows increasingly easy from there."

Written by Kevin Downey on July 25th, 2023

Next Question