Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

McKinsey PEI - Conflict with Boss

Hi all,

Can anyone kindly share an example of resolving a disagreement with a boss? Thank you!

4
2.3k
10
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Udayan
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi,

here are some examples of situations you can use where you might have disagreed with your boss to begin with and then worked towards a solution

  • Approach to solving a problem - this is the most common type of issue that comes up. Sometimes people have different approaches to the same problem and usually one method is better than the other
  • Methodology for analysis - similar to above but the focus here is on the analysis aspect of the issue at hand - e.g., which data set to use
  • Team dynamic related - examples include things like not being allowed to present to senior leaders in meetings or not being asked to lead meetings when you know the content well

There are of course other examples of things that work as well. Avoid anything too personal here and stick to professional conflicts

All the best,

Udayan

Clara
Coach
on Jun 23, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

This is the classical "Personal Impact" question, and it´s very frequenly asked. 

Other ones withing this bucket are: 

  • Describe a time when you had to persuade an uncooperative stakeholder
  • How would you deal with an uncooperative client in order to get the data you need?
  • What is your way of dealing with conflict? Illustrate it with an example
  • Describe a recent crisis you handled
  • Describe a situation when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize tasks
  • Describe a situation in which you influenced or persuaded a key stakeholder or group

Precisely on these topics, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes, since we still have some left from the launch!

Deleted user
on Jun 23, 2020

Hello,

For these kinds of questions I recommend not to talk about experiences where you had a real conflict.

You should rather favor an example where you did not agree with a managerial decision and how you reacted.

As usual: situation, action, impact, learnings.

Best

7
Ian
Coach
on Jun 24, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

I'd rather not share, however, for my personal story I made sure it showed

1) Ability to listen and see my boss's perspective

2) Ability to persuade/compromise and be an effective communicator

3) A positive + value-adding resolution and future relationship with my boss

Similar Questions
Consulting
Prep Materials for Mckinsey Solve Assessment
on Apr 15, 2025
Global
6
3.6k
Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
51
6 Answers
3.6k Views
+3
Consulting
McKinsey ban or blacklist
on Aug 19, 2024
Global
6
3.3k
Top answer by
Florian
Coach
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
99
6 Answers
3.3k Views
+3
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Jan 05, 2025
Global
5
6.3k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
50
5 Answers
6.3k Views
+2