I have a co-worker who always arrives late to a scheduled meeting. What do I do?

Question Analysis

The question is asking about how you handle a situation involving a co-worker who consistently arrives late to meetings. This is a behavioral question designed to assess your interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you address issues that may affect team dynamics and productivity. The interviewer is looking for a demonstration of your ability to handle workplace challenges in a professional and constructive manner.

Answer

To effectively address this question, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):

Situation:
In my previous role at XYZ Company, we had weekly team meetings that were crucial for project updates and coordination. One of my co-workers consistently arrived late, which disrupted the flow of our meetings and sometimes led to having to revisit topics for their benefit.

Task:
I recognized the need to address this issue to ensure meetings were productive and all team members were on the same page from the start.

Action:
I decided to have a private conversation with my co-worker. I approached the situation with empathy, acknowledging that everyone has challenges and asking if there were specific reasons for their tardiness. I offered suggestions such as setting reminders or adjusting their schedule slightly to accommodate the meeting time. I also emphasized the importance of their contributions right from the beginning of the meeting.

Result:
After our conversation, my co-worker began to arrive on time more consistently. This improved the efficiency of our meetings and ensured that everyone was aligned from the beginning, enhancing team productivity and collaboration.

By addressing the issue in a constructive manner, I was able to help create a more disciplined and effective meeting environment.