You observe that a colleague always arrives late to a weekly meeting. What would you do?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, interpersonal sensitivity, and ability to handle workplace issues diplomatically. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you approach situations where a colleague's behavior might be impacting team dynamics or productivity. It is crucial to demonstrate that you can address such issues professionally and constructively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, we had a weekly team meeting every Monday morning. I noticed that one of my colleagues consistently arrived 10-15 minutes late, which sometimes delayed the start of the meeting or required recaps, impacting our productivity.

Task: I felt it was important to address this issue to ensure our meetings were as efficient as possible without singling out or embarrassing my colleague.

Action: I decided to speak to my colleague privately. I approached the conversation with empathy, starting by expressing understanding and asking if there was a specific reason for the tardiness. My colleague mentioned that their childcare arrangements occasionally caused them to be late on Monday mornings. I suggested that they could inform the team in advance if they anticipated being late, so we could adjust the agenda accordingly or start with less critical items.

Result: My colleague appreciated the understanding and support. They began notifying the team when they expected to be late, allowing us to adjust our meeting schedule and maintain productivity. Over time, they also found a more consistent childcare arrangement, resulting in more punctual attendance. This approach helped maintain a positive team environment and improved our meeting efficiency.