Post by Deborah Udy Okusaga Akanne (@deborah_udy_okusaga)

THE DIFFICULT COLLEAGUE TRAP

"Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult colleague."

And you spend ninety seconds explaining exactly why that colleague was difficult — their attitude, their communication style, the history. By the time you reach the Action, the only part that actually matters, you've lost the panel's attention.

This question isn't testing your patience, or whether you were right and they were wrong. It's testing whether you can manage professional conflict without compromising patient care or team function, within the standards set by the NMC Code or GMC Good Medical Practice.

It's a clinical governance question wearing a people question disguise.

The framework I coach every client to use: spend roughly 20% of your answer on the situation — brief, factual, no blame — and 80% on your professional response.

Your Action should show three things:
→ A structured, professional conversation, not a confrontation
→ A clear reference point — the NMC Code, GMC standards, or your Trust's values
→ A resolution that protected both patient safety and the working relationship

Something like: "I approached the colleague privately, acknowledged their perspective, raised the concern clearly, and we agreed a way forward together."

That single sentence carries more weight than three minutes explaining why they were difficult. The panel isn't deciding who was right. They're deciding whether you can handle a busy ward professionally.

📩 Want a structured script for handling this exact question? Comment "RESOLVE" and I'll send it to you.

Like and share — Post 4 is at 2PM, and it's the question most international clinicians dread most.

Sources: Nursing and Midwifery Council, The Code; General Medical Council, Good Medical Practice (2024).

#STARMethod #MDTCommunication #Professionalism #NHSInterview2026 #NMCCode #GMCStandards #clinicalgovernance #Band5NHS #Band6NHS #InternationalClinicians #IMGDoctor #NHSJobs2026 #SovereignHealthcareAdvisoryGroup

THE DIFFICULT COLLEAGUE TRAP "Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult colleague." And you...

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