Two people on your team are in ongoing conflict. How do you handle it?

Summary

Act early: talk to each separately using specific observations, find the underlying cause (often unclear ownership, standards or working styles), then bring them together to agree concrete changes, write them down and follow up. Escalate to the manager if behaviour doesn't change.

Longer Answer

Focus on interests rather than positions: what does each person need to do good work? Common fixes are clear area ownership, a fast way to settle disagreements (e.g. the owner decides after one round of comments, or a 15-minute call instead of a long thread), and shared standards. Don't pick a side based on who complained first. Conflict about ideas is healthy; hostility isn't.

Key Points

• Separate conversations first
• Find the cause; interests over positions
• Agree, document, follow up; escalate if needed

Deep dive: Resolving Conflict Between Team Members

What interviewers look for

Fairness, courage and structured mediation.

Red flags

• Waiting for it to blow over
• Taking sides early