What would you do if a coworker constantly arrived late to a weekly meeting?

Question Analysis

This question is assessing your ability to handle workplace challenges, specifically relating to punctuality and teamwork. It seeks to understand how you manage interpersonal issues, maintain professionalism, and ensure that team objectives are met. The interviewer is likely interested in your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and capacity for empathy and diplomacy.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, we had a weekly team meeting every Monday morning. One of my coworkers, Alex, started to arrive late consistently, which began to disrupt the flow of our meetings and delay project updates.

Task: As the project coordinator, it was important for me to ensure that meetings were productive and that all team members were aligned. I needed to address Alex's tardiness in a way that maintained team harmony and respected his circumstances.

Action: I decided to approach Alex privately after noticing the pattern for a few weeks. I expressed understanding and asked if there were any specific reasons for his lateness. Alex mentioned that his morning commute had been unpredictable due to a recent change in public transportation schedules. Together, we discussed possible solutions, such as joining the meeting remotely if delayed or possibly adjusting the meeting time if feasible for the team.

Result: After our discussion, Alex made a conscious effort to adjust his schedule and began arriving on time more consistently. Our meetings became more efficient, and the team appreciated the uninterrupted time to discuss important project updates. This approach not only resolved the immediate issue but also strengthened our working relationship and team morale.