At URC, we have a 'family-style' culture that values open communication. Describe a situation where you had to work with someone from a different group or department who was uncooperative. How did you handle it?

Situation

As the PR head of our university's student council, I needed the Finance Committee's treasurer to release funds for a disaster relief drive. Despite two emails and a personal chat, she kept delaying, saying her own audit report was her priority.

Task

I needed the funds within three days to purchase relief goods before the scheduled transport to the affected province, but I had no authority over her.

Action

First, I asked her when she would be free for a five-minute milktea chat. Over milktea, I asked about her audit pressure and shared why the relief drive mattered to me; I had friends in the affected town. I offered to help her locate missing receipts for her report by asking batchmates via a single Facebook post. Then I proposed a compromise: she releases half the funds now so buying could start, and I provide post-Brigada Liquidation docs she could attach to her next report. I followed up the next day with a written request summarizing our agreement, copying only the council president for visibility, not to shame her.

Result

The treasurer released the first tranche the same afternoon. With that, we purchased essential goods on time and helped 50 families. The treasurer later messaged thanking me for the offer to help; she ended up finding the receipts on her own but appreciated the gesture.