Situational Judgement Test Resolving Interpersonal Conflict 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A conflict between you and a peer has been referred to formal mediation. During the session, the mediator asks you to state your needs. You should:
- List every grievance you have accumulated over time
- Focus on your core interests and what outcome would make the working relationship functional (Correct answer)
- Repeat your position more firmly so the mediator understands your stance
- Defer to whatever the other party says to appear cooperative
Correct answer: Focus on your core interests and what outcome would make the working relationship functional
Stating core interests rather than grievances or positions gives the mediator information needed to find mutually acceptable solutions.
Question 2: Your team uses a shared inbox, and a colleague regularly responds to messages meant for you without your knowledge, causing client confusion. The best action is to:
- Change the inbox password so only you can access it
- Send a group email criticizing the colleague's behavior
- Speak with the colleague privately to agree on clear response protocols (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since the client communication is still being handled
Correct answer: Speak with the colleague privately to agree on clear response protocols
A private conversation to establish clear role boundaries resolves the root cause without damaging team dynamics.
Question 3: In an SJT scenario, you witness a heated argument between two colleagues in a common area. Neither asks for your help. What is the most appropriate response?
- Intervene immediately and tell both parties they need to calm down
- Record the argument on your phone for documentation purposes
- Calmly let them know a private space is available and check in with each afterward (Correct answer)
- Ignore it entirely because it is not your conflict
Correct answer: Calmly let them know a private space is available and check in with each afterward
Offering a private space reduces public escalation while respecting the parties' autonomy to resolve the conflict themselves.
Question 4: A team member tells you they feel personally attacked by feedback you gave them in a performance review. What is the best way to respond?
- Explain that feedback was objective and they need to accept it
- Apologize fully and withdraw the feedback to preserve the relationship
- Acknowledge their feelings, clarify your intent, and discuss how you can give feedback more effectively in the future (Correct answer)
- Refer them to HR to resolve the misunderstanding formally
Correct answer: Acknowledge their feelings, clarify your intent, and discuss how you can give feedback more effectively in the future
Validating feelings, clarifying intent, and improving the feedback process together addresses the emotional response without abandoning the performance conversation.
Question 5: You work remotely and a conflict with a colleague has been escalating through text-based messages. What is the most effective next step?
- Send a longer, more detailed message explaining all the ways they are wrong
- Switch to a video call to allow for clearer communication and real-time dialogue (Correct answer)
- Copy your manager on all future messages as a precaution
- Wait for the colleague to apologize before engaging further
Correct answer: Switch to a video call to allow for clearer communication and real-time dialogue
Switching to a richer communication channel like video reduces misinterpretation and allows both parties to respond to emotional cues in real time.
Question 6: Which of the following statements best describes the difference between compromise and collaboration in conflict resolution?
- Compromise involves one party winning; collaboration means both lose something
- Compromise means each party gives up something; collaboration seeks a solution that fully satisfies both parties' core needs (Correct answer)
- Compromise is always the better strategy because it is faster
- Collaboration requires a neutral third party, while compromise does not
Correct answer: Compromise means each party gives up something; collaboration seeks a solution that fully satisfies both parties' core needs
Compromise results in partial satisfaction for both parties, while collaboration (integrative bargaining) aims for a solution that meets everyone's core interests fully.
Question 7: You are managing a conflict between two senior employees who both believe they have authority over a project decision. The most effective first step is to:
- Flip a coin to assign authority and move on quickly
- Review existing role definitions and organizational charts to clarify decision-making authority (Correct answer)
- Give authority to the more senior employee based on tenure
- Let both employees proceed independently on the same decision
Correct answer: Review existing role definitions and organizational charts to clarify decision-making authority
Clarifying role boundaries and decision authority through existing documentation removes ambiguity, which is often the root cause of authority conflicts.
Situational Judgement Test Resolving Interpersonal Conflict 4
A conflict between you and a peer has been referred to formal mediation.
During the session, the mediator asks you to state your needs.
You should: