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McK PEI - conflict

Hi everyone, preparing my McK conflict PEI story here - does anyone know if McK specifically asks for examples of conflict with specific parties, for example, your direct managers? Also wondering if anyone has good examples of such stories - keen to see an example if anyone would be kind enough to share.

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Top answer
on Mar 31, 2024
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

No, they don't specify at such a granular level who the conflict should be with. 

For anyone else who is preparing for the PEI component, I've created a video course with my 6-step storytelling framework that has helped my candidates get distinctive feedback on the McKinsey PEI. You can find out more about it here:

Best,
Cristian

Vlad
Coach
on Apr 02, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

It may be different variations

  • Team conflict
  • Personal conflict
  • Conflict with the boss
  • Changing someone's mind
  • Overcoming difficulties
  • etc

Best

Clara
Coach
on May 04, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Indeed this is one of the risk of over-preparating, and it not only affects FIT but also the Business Case. People who over-prepare end up being rigid and not natural, and losing the "charm" and naturality that one should have in a conversation.

Think of the FIT part of the itnerview as if you were meeting your partner´s parents: you want to impress them, but also be nice, since you don´t want them to think of you as cocky or sharky. It´s the same thing!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Deleted
Coach
on Apr 01, 2018
NOT AVAILABLE

Hey anonymous,

there’s no particular dimension at McKinsey interviews testing directly for conflict resolution (as that’s not one of the 3 dimensions being tested)

That said, you can be asked for conflict situations stories at two different dimensions (be careful in guaranteeing that you show the right skills that are asked at each): a conflict with your boss (managing upwards view), which is part of the personal impact dimension, or alternatively to discuss a time where you needed to lead with a conflict in a team you’re leading (either formally or informally), which is part of leadership dimension

Hope this helps 

Bruno

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