Post by Deborah Udy Okusaga Akanne (@deborah_udy_okusaga)

"The Difficult Colleague Trap"

The panel asks: "Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult colleague."

And you spend the next ninety seconds explaining exactly why that colleague was difficult.

Their attitude. Their communication style. The history. The context. By the time you reach the Action — the only part that matters — you have used up your time, lost the panel's attention, and scored zero on the Professionalism competency.

Here is what this question is actually testing:

Not your patience. Not your emotional resilience. Not whether you were right and they were wrong.

It is testing whether you can manage professional conflict without compromising patient care or team function — within the framework of the NMC Code, the GMC Good Medical Practice standards, and NHS organisational values.

That is a clinical governance question wearing a people question disguise.

And the panel knows within your first sentence whether you understand that — or whether you do not.

Here is the framework I give every client I prepare:

The 80/20 Rule.

20% on the situation — brief, factual, no emotion, no blame. 80% on your professional response — how you managed it, what framework you used, what outcome you achieved for the patient and the team.

Your Action must include three things: — A structured conversation using professional, non-confrontational language — A reference to the NMC Code, GMC standards, or NHS Values as your compass — A resolution that preserved both patient safety and the working relationship.

"I approached the colleague privately and used the Feedback Sandwich — acknowledging their contribution, raising the concern clearly, and agreeing a way forward together."

That sentence alone scores more points than three minutes of explaining why the colleague was difficult.

The panel is not deciding whether your colleague deserved it. They are deciding whether you can handle the pressure of a busy UK ward professionally.

📩 Want my "Professional Resolution" Script — the exact language structure that scores maximum points on this question at Band 5, 6, and 7?

Comment "RESOLVE" below.

Like and share — Post 4 drops at 2PM and it is the question most international clinicians dread most. I am going to show you how to make it your strongest answer of the day.

#STARMethod #MDTConflict #Professionalism #NHSWorkplace #NHSInterview2026 #NMCCode #GMCStandards #NHSValues #clinicalgovernance #Band5NHS #Band6NHS #InternationalClinicians #SovereignHealthcareAdvisoryGroup #IMGDoctor #NHSJobs2026

"The Difficult Colleague Trap" The panel asks: "Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult col...

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