What would do do if a co-worker consistently shows up late to scheduled meetings?

Question Analysis

This question assesses your ability to handle workplace challenges and your approach to maintaining team productivity and morale. The interviewer is looking to understand your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and how you ensure team effectiveness without creating unnecessary tension.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I noticed that one of my team members, Alex, was consistently arriving late to our weekly project meetings, which disrupted the flow and delayed our discussions.

Task: As a key member responsible for maintaining project timelines and team cohesion, it was crucial for me to address this issue to ensure meetings were productive and that all team members were on the same page.

Action: I decided to speak with Alex privately to understand the reasons behind his lateness. During our conversation, I learned that Alex had overlapping commitments that were causing him difficulty in attending our meetings on time. After understanding his situation, I suggested we adjust the meeting time to accommodate his schedule better. Additionally, I proposed a quick follow-up email after each meeting to summarize key points for anyone who might miss certain parts.

Result: This approach not only helped Alex attend meetings on time but also improved overall team morale and productivity. The team appreciated the flexibility and the follow-up emails, which ensured everyone was informed and aligned with project goals.