Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict within a team
Theme: Teamwork Role: Investment Banker Function: Finance
Interview Question for Investment Banker: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Investment Banker: Advises clients on financial investments and deals. This role falls within the Finance function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Teamwork with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Conflict Situation: Provide a brief overview of the conflict situation within the team
- Identifying the Conflict: Explain how you recognized the conflict and the parties involved
- Understanding the Root Cause: Describe how you analyzed the situation to identify the underlying cause of the conflict
- Communication & Active Listening: Explain how you facilitated open and honest communication among team members and actively listened to their concerns
- Mediation & Conflict Resolution: Describe the steps you took to mediate the conflict and find a resolution that satisfied all parties involved
- Implementing Solutions: Explain how you implemented the agreed-upon solutions and monitored their effectiveness
- Team Building & Collaboration: Discuss how you fostered a positive team environment and encouraged collaboration to prevent future conflicts
- Results & Lessons Learned: Highlight the positive outcomes achieved and any lessons learned from the conflict resolution process
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Conflict resolution skills: Assessing ability to handle conflicts and maintain team harmony
- Teamwork & collaboration: Evaluating how well you work with others and contribute to a positive team dynamic
- Leadership potential: Determining your ability to take charge and resolve conflicts as a leader
- Problem-solving skills: Examining your approach to identifying and resolving conflicts in a practical manner
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Blaming others: Avoid blaming others or pointing fingers when describing the conflict resolution. Take responsibility for your role in the conflict and focus on how you worked towards a solution
- Lack of communication: Avoid mentioning situations where the conflict arose due to a lack of communication within the team. This may indicate poor teamwork and collaboration skills
- Inability to compromise: Avoid describing situations where you were unable or unwilling to compromise with team members. This may suggest an inflexible or difficult-to-work-with attitude
- Escalation of conflict: Avoid discussing conflicts that escalated and resulted in a negative or hostile work environment. The interviewer wants to see your ability to handle conflicts in a professional and constructive manner
- Lack of problem-solving skills: Avoid situations where you were unable to find a resolution or failed to come up with creative solutions to resolve the conflict. This may indicate a lack of problem-solving skills