Advice on Fit Questions Dealing with Conflict

Question

Hi, I recently had a 1st round with McKinsey and received a PEI question to share an incident on a conflict. I shared an incident with the general flow:
- Background - I was working with another member from another division within my company to nurture different clients and convert them into sales target. This was a product co-marketed by our two divisions.

- Conflict: - After an initial engagement with a potential client (client A), my teammate wanted to terminate further engagements with client A as he felt there was a mismatch in our product and the client's needs. I disagreed as I felt it was a first meeting and we did not had a thorough discussion to understand the client's needs fully and that we should engage more stakeholders within the client organisation to better understand their wants before assessing our product fit. Therefore, I had to convince my team member and his boss that this was a viable lead and to continue engagements with client A.

- Summary outcome: To cut to the end, I was able to convince both my partner and his boss to a 2nd meeting with the client, involving other stakeholders within the client organisation that could better share their needs. With that meeting, it showed that there was fit in our product to their needs, and we managed to convert it into a successful sale after a few more engagements.

This is a quick summary but of course, it was a more in-depth sharing during the actual PEI, especially on my actions.

One question the interviewer had for me was that she could not really see the conflict and wanted me to better explain the conflict/situation, although my initial explanation follows from the Conflict description above.

I will like to seek advice from similar candidates or coaches on any ways I could better outline the “conflict” or if I should choose another eg instead.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think you are mistaking "conflict of opinions" v/s "conflict". Your story has the first, not the second.

Answer 2

Hey there,

You would need a different story here since you did not hit the key dimensions at all.

To draft it, have a look at the detailed article I wrote on the PEI: https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-pei

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

Hi there,

I think you need a new story.

I also don't really see a conflict here! There was not a conflict with client A, just a perceived mismatch in needs.

A conflict needs to be when you personally had to confront someone who was being obstinate, angry, playing games/politics, etc. etc.

Answer 4

Hi, I confirm it does not look like a conflict

Best,

Antonello

Answer 5

There is no conflict in this story. It is just a matter of difference in opinions that is resolved through a discussion / exchange of ideas and arguments.

Conflict is about managing trickier situations involving emotions, with “preferrably but not necessarily” severe impact / important implications.

It's important to highlight being a good listener, understanding the underlying motives / reasons behind conflict, great stakeholder management skills and team management and being able to bring harmony / alignment between stakeholders in the most suitable way to achieve the desired results