What they are really asking

Every team has friction. The interviewer isn't hoping you've never had a problem with a coworker; they're checking what you do when you have one. Do you talk to the person, or talk about them? Do you run to the manager over something small? Do you let it spoil the whole team's mood?

Notice the word "difficult" in the question. Don't accept it. The best answers treat the coworker as a reasonable person with a different view, because most of the time that's what they are.

A shape that works

Assume good intent, talk first, escalate last. Say you start by assuming there's a reason for the behavior. Talk to the person privately and describe the problem as a shared one. Listen, agree on something small, and only involve a manager if that fails. Then give one short example. Never make the coworker the villain of your story.

Model answers

Listen to how each answer is built, then make it yours.

Answer 1: a sales rep in Austin
Answer 2: a lab technician in Beijing
Answer 3: a call center agent in Mumbai

Check yourself

1Why does the lesson say not to accept the word "difficult"?
2When should you involve a manager, according to the lesson?
3What do all three model answers have in common?

Practice · 3 min

Think of a small problem you've had with a coworker, classmate or roommate. Record a one-minute answer that follows the shape: what happened, how you talked to them, the reason you learned, and what you agreed. Listen back and check one thing: does the other person sound reasonable in your story? If not, change the wording and record again.

Your recording stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.