How would you handle conflict resolution within a team you're leading?

This question is meant to evaluate your problem-solving abilities, leadership skills, and ability to maintain harmony within a team setting. It requires that you reflect on past experiences where you had to deal with conflict within a team you were leading, how you managed it and the outcome.

Here are some key points to consider in your response:

1. Demonstrate your familiarity with common team conflict scenarios.
2. Show your ability to identify causes of conflict and take immediate action to resolve it.
3. Highlight your competency in using strategies, such as open communication, negotiation, or third-party mediation.

In my previous role as Team Leader at XYZ Corporation, there was an instance where two of my team members had a disagreement over the distribution of tasks for a project. The conflict arose from perceived unfairness and was causing tension within the team. I believe the first step in resolving conflicts is ensuring open and clear communication. Thus, I set up a meeting with the two individuals separately to understand their perspectives. Once I gathered enough information, I brought them together for a constructive discussion where we were able to reallocate tasks in a way that met both their expectations. I also used this opportunity to emphasize the importance of direct communication, mutual respect, and compromise within our team. After this incidence, I introduced a task allocation strategy that required peer input to ensure fairness, which significantly lowered the potential of future disagreements.

As a Project Manager at ABC Company, there was a situation where one team member was consistently missing deadlines, leading to frustration among the team. Upon observing this, I immediately scheduled a private meeting with the individual to understand their side. He was encountering some personal problems which were impacting his performance at work. I suggested partial work from home for a few days - which was a provision our company policy allowed - until he felt ready to get back on track. Concurrently, I redistributed his workload among the team so that the project stayed on track. During one of our team meetings, I reiterated the importance of empathy and helping out co-workers in their times of need without singling out the affected individual. This action helped not only in resolving the immediate conflict but also in strengthening team bonding."