Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job? Job Interview Question and Answer!

Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job?

I have had a few instances where I had to deal with conflict on the job, but one particular experience stands out to me. It was during my time as a team leader at a marketing firm where I had a team of four members. One of the team members, let’s call her Emily, was consistently late with her deliverables, causing delays in the entire project timeline.

Emily was not taking her responsibilities seriously, and it was causing frustration among the rest of the team members. The project was important for the company, and I knew that I had to handle the situation promptly.

The first step I took was to approach Emily privately and have a one-on-one conversation with her. I expressed my concerns about her tardiness and the impact it was having on the rest of the team. I also made sure to give her specific examples of when she was late and the consequences it had caused.

Emily was receptive to my feedback and agreed that she had been struggling to keep up with her workload. She revealed that she was going through a difficult time at home and was feeling overwhelmed. I empathized with her and offered support in any way I could.

The next step I took was to come up with a plan to help Emily get back on track. We made a schedule for her deliverables and set regular check-ins to ensure she was staying on track. I also offered to help her with her workload and made sure that the rest of the team was aware of the situation and was offering their support as well.

Over the next few weeks, Emily made significant progress. She was able to deliver her work on time and was more motivated to contribute to the team. The rest of the team was also more supportive of her, and the atmosphere became more positive.

In conclusion, the experience taught me the importance of effective communication and leadership in resolving conflicts at work. By being empathetic and finding a solution that works for everyone, I was able to resolve the conflict and bring the team back together. This experience has made me a more confident leader and has helped me develop better conflict resolution skills.