How to Effectively Describe a Time When You Had to Work with Someone with a Different Perspective in IELTS Speaking

Describing a situation where you had to collaborate with someone who had a different viewpoint is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This task assesses your ability to communicate about interpersonal experiences, handle challenges, and demonstrate your language skills in discussing diverse perspectives. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic effectively to achieve a high band score.

Understanding the Topic

The topic “Describe a time when you had to work with someone with a different perspective” requires you to recall and articulate a specific experience where you encountered differing opinions or approaches in a collaborative setting. This could be in various contexts such as work, school, or personal projects. The key is to showcase your ability to handle diverse viewpoints constructively.

IELTS Speaking Test

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions related to working with others or dealing with different opinions. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:

Q: Do you enjoy working in a team?

A: Absolutely, I find teamwork incredibly rewarding. While it can be challenging at times, I believe that collaborating with others often leads to more innovative solutions. I particularly enjoy the diverse perspectives that team members bring to the table, as it helps broaden my own understanding and approach to problems.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe a time when you had to work with someone with a different perspective.
You should say:

• Who this person was
• What you were working on together
• How your perspectives differed
• And explain how you managed to work together despite your differences

Sample Answer:

“I’d like to talk about a time when I had to work with a colleague who had a very different perspective from mine. This occurred during a marketing project at my previous job.

The person I worked with was Sarah, a fellow marketing executive. We were tasked with developing a new advertising campaign for a eco-friendly product line. From the outset, it was clear that Sarah and I had contrasting views on the approach we should take.

I believed we should focus on the environmental benefits of the products, emphasizing their sustainability and long-term impact. However, Sarah was adamant that we should highlight the immediate cost savings for consumers. Our perspectives differed significantly because I was thinking about appealing to eco-conscious consumers, while Sarah was more concerned with attracting budget-conscious shoppers.

Initially, our differing viewpoints led to some heated discussions. However, we soon realized that we needed to find a way to collaborate effectively to meet our deadline. We decided to take a step back and listen to each other’s reasoning more carefully.

To manage our differences, we implemented a structured approach. We created a pros and cons list for each of our ideas and then conducted small focus groups to gauge potential customer reactions. This data-driven method helped us see the merits in both of our perspectives.

Ultimately, we reached a compromise by creating a campaign that showcased both the environmental benefits and the cost-effectiveness of the products. This experience taught me the value of being open-minded and the importance of finding common ground when working with someone who has a different point of view.

The project was a great success, and our campaign resonated well with a broader audience than either of us had initially anticipated. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of diverse perspectives in creating more comprehensive and effective solutions.”

Possible follow-up questions:

1. How did this experience change your approach to teamwork?
2. What was the most challenging aspect of working with someone with a different perspective?
3. Can you describe a specific technique you used to bridge the gap between your differing viewpoints?

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Let’s discuss this topic further. In your opinion, why do people often find it challenging to work with those who have different perspectives?

Candidate: There are several reasons why collaborating with people who have different viewpoints can be challenging. Firstly, humans tend to have an inherent bias towards ideas that align with their own beliefs, a phenomenon psychologists call confirmation bias. This can make it difficult to truly understand and appreciate alternative perspectives.

Secondly, differing perspectives often stem from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and values. These differences can lead to miscommunication or misunderstandings, especially when people aren’t aware of their own cultural or personal biases.

Moreover, ego often plays a role. People may feel that accepting someone else’s viewpoint diminishes the value of their own ideas or expertise. This can lead to defensive behavior and a reluctance to compromise.

Lastly, time pressure and stress in many work environments can exacerbate these challenges. When people feel rushed or under pressure, they may be less patient and less willing to take the time to understand and integrate different perspectives.

However, I believe that recognizing these challenges is the first step towards overcoming them. By cultivating open-mindedness, active listening skills, and a willingness to find common ground, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Examiner: How can organizations benefit from having employees with diverse perspectives?

Candidate: Organizations can reap numerous benefits from fostering a workforce with diverse perspectives. Firstly, diversity of thought often leads to increased creativity and innovation. When people with different backgrounds and viewpoints collaborate, they can generate a wider range of ideas and solutions to problems.

Secondly, diverse perspectives can help organizations better understand and serve a diverse customer base. Employees from various backgrounds can provide insights into different market segments, cultural nuances, and consumer needs that might otherwise be overlooked.

Furthermore, having a variety of viewpoints can lead to more robust decision-making. When ideas are challenged and examined from multiple angles, it can help identify potential pitfalls and opportunities that a more homogeneous group might miss.

Diverse perspectives can also enhance problem-solving capabilities. Different approaches to tackling issues can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions.

Lastly, organizations with diverse perspectives often create a more inclusive and engaging work environment. This can lead to higher employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity.

However, it’s crucial for organizations to not only hire for diversity but also create an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated into decision-making processes. This requires ongoing effort, training, and a commitment to open communication.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

1. Contrasting views [/kənˈtrɑːstɪŋ vjuːz/] (noun phrase): Opinions or beliefs that are very different or opposite.
   Example: “Our contrasting views on the project approach led to some initial disagreements.”

2. Adamant [/ˈædəmənt/] (adjective): Refusing to change one’s mind; determined.
   Example: “She was adamant about focusing on cost savings in our marketing strategy.”

3. Collaborate effectively [/kəˈlæbəreɪt ɪˈfektɪvli/] (verb phrase): To work together successfully to achieve a common goal.
   Example: “Despite our differences, we learned to collaborate effectively to meet the project deadline.”

4. Data-driven method [/ˈdeɪtə ˈdrɪvən ˈmeθəd/] (noun phrase): An approach that relies on data analysis to guide decision-making.
   Example: “We used a data-driven method to evaluate the strengths of both our ideas.”

5. Reach a compromise [/riːtʃ ə ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/] (verb phrase): To settle a disagreement by mutual concession.
   Example: “After much discussion, we were able to reach a compromise that incorporated elements of both our ideas.”

6. Inherent bias [/ɪnˈhɪərənt ˈbaɪəs/] (noun phrase): A tendency or inclination towards a particular perspective that is innate or habitual.
   Example: “We had to be aware of our inherent biases when evaluating different approaches to the problem.”

7. Cultivate open-mindedness [/ˈkʌltɪveɪt ˈəʊpən ˈmaɪndɪdnəs/] (verb phrase): To develop and encourage a willingness to consider new ideas.
   Example: “Working with diverse teams has helped me cultivate open-mindedness in my professional life.”

8. Foster a workforce [/ˈfɒstər ə ˈwɜːkfɔːs/] (verb phrase): To encourage or promote the development of a particular type of employee group.
   Example: “Our company strives to foster a workforce with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.”

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high band score when discussing working with someone who has a different perspective, focus on the following:

1. Provide specific examples: Use real-life situations to illustrate your points, as this demonstrates your ability to apply language to concrete experiences.

2. Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to collaboration, conflict resolution, and diversity.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking: Show your ability to analyze the situation from multiple angles and reflect on the outcomes.

4. Structure your response: Organize your thoughts logically, using clear transitions between ideas.

5. Show awareness of nuances: Acknowledge the complexities of working with diverse perspectives, avoiding oversimplification.

6. Practice fluency: Aim for smooth delivery with minimal hesitation. Regular practice with a variety of topics can help improve your fluency.

7. Engage with the examiner: In Part 3, try to build on the examiner’s questions, showing your ability to discuss abstract ideas in depth.

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Speaking is not just about language proficiency, but also about effectively communicating your thoughts and experiences. Regular practice and exposure to diverse topics will help you feel more confident and perform better on test day.

For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking skills, you might find it helpful to read about how to effectively describe a time when you had to explain something complicated to someone. This can provide additional insights into clear communication strategies that are valuable when discussing different perspectives.