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, specifically dealing with a colleague who frequently arrives late to meetings. It evaluates your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and your approach to maintaining professionalism and teamwork. The interviewer wants to know how you handle conflict or disruptions in a professional setting while ensuring team efficiency.

Answer

Situation: In a previous role, I noticed that a co-worker was consistently late to our weekly project meetings. This was beginning to disrupt the flow of our discussions and affecting team productivity.

Task: As the team lead, it was my responsibility to ensure that meetings ran smoothly and that all team members could contribute effectively.

Action: I decided to approach the issue proactively. First, I had a private conversation with the co-worker to understand if there were any underlying reasons for their tardiness. I learned that they had a scheduling conflict with another commitment. Together, we discussed possible solutions and agreed to adjust the meeting time slightly to accommodate everyone's schedule. Additionally, I suggested setting reminders for meeting times and encouraged the use of a shared calendar to help with time management.

Result: After implementing these changes, the co-worker began arriving on time, and the meetings became more productive. The team appreciated the collaborative approach to solving the issue, which improved overall team morale and efficiency. This experience reinforced the importance of open communication and flexibility in resolving workplace challenges.