What is the difference in these two fit questions?

Question

1) Tell me about a time you led a team through a tough challenge?

2) Tell me about a time when you worked in a team and had to manage a conflict?

Isn't the conflict part (#2) a subset of the challenge part (#1)? OR is #1 more focused on how you helped them understand what needs to be done or guided them through it to solve the issue - but there probably was no conflict anywhere (which seems unlikely)

Answer 1

Hi!

If we are talking about the McKinsey PEI:

YES! Managing a conflict within a team is a more specific instance of leading a team through a tough challenge. So the first question is broader and gives you more options in terms of situations to choose from (so the challenge could come from all sorts of sources, including internal conflict). The second question narrows down the source of the chellenge to internal conflict only.

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 2

Hello!

I see them honestly very different.

The 2nd one is clearly a PERSONAL IMPACT question, while the first one can be either PERSONAL IMPACT or LEADERSHIP, since it gives a much wider range of stories to pick from.

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Answer 3

Hi there,

Good question!

So #1 is (as Sidi stated) a much broader question. You get to decide what experience you want to draw on, and you can be more flexible in your interpretation.

For #1 this could be a team you led through collaboration, through stakeholder management (conflict), through effective communication, through resolving a team dispute (conflict) etc. There are many possible answers here!

For #2, while narrower, it still does have multiple options. It could be internal or external conflict. And, you could have led them through communication, logistical changes, etc. etc.

If you want to add your proposed answers we can provide feedback as well.

Answer 4

Dear A,

In my eyes there two completely different questions, because the Q1 is about the challenge - it shouldn't be nessessarily related to the team, it could be leadership experience, where yu show that in from of the client youhave understood the challenge and cracked it as the whole team, while showing your leadership skills.

On the other hand, conflict management is more interpersonal one and for here you may apply the Harvard concept of negotiation, mitigation and solving the conflicts.

Hope it helps you,

Wish you best of luck,

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