How do you answer 'How would you resolve a conflict' in a job interview?

Answer 1

I have found through 10 plus years of people management that the best way to resolve conflict between two staff members is to bring them in together for a meeting to discuss the issues. Depending on the severity of the issues you may want to include a member of your HR team in on the meeting. During the meeting it is important to keep control and not allow immaturity to rein in the conversation. Make it clear as to why you are holding this meeting and what you expectations are for the outcome. The interviewer wants to know how you react to conflict and how you manage it. Focus your interview answer on the behavioral process that you use to resolve the conflict. Avoid directing your answer at how difficult you boss or co-workers are and how hard it is to work with them. You will come across as someone who does not get on easily with other people and employers want someone who gets on well with others.

As an employee for twenty plus years, I have discovered that it takes an extremely skilled mediator to make the above procedure work. Typically, one person "wins." Often, in my experience, the issue in in conflict is that someone is being verbally abusive out of the manager's hearing. This can include giving incomplete help as asked, snide remarks, sarcastic returns when someone does try to help and so on. Teaching on this topic has a very short shelflife and constant monitoring has to be made in following up.

Answer 2

I always answer like this: First, I would see about approaching the individual with whom the conflict exists to get to the root of the problem and see if it can be resolved between the two of you. If not, then I would seek the intervention/advice of a supervisor.