What would you do if a co-worker constantly arrives late to a weekly scheduled meeting?

Question Analysis

This question assesses your ability to handle workplace conflicts and demonstrate effective communication and problem-solving skills. The interviewer wants to know how you maintain professionalism while addressing issues that can disrupt team dynamics. It's important to show that you can approach such situations constructively and considerately.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role, we had a weekly team meeting every Monday morning. One of my co-workers frequently arrived late, which disrupted the meeting flow and often caused us to repeat information.

Task: As a team member who values efficiency and collaboration, I felt it was important to address the issue to ensure our meetings were productive and respectful of everyone's time.

Action: I decided to speak directly with my co-worker in a private setting to avoid embarrassment. I approached the conversation with empathy, acknowledging that there might be valid reasons for the tardiness. I expressed how their late arrival impacted the team's productivity and asked if there were any challenges they were facing that I could assist with. Additionally, I suggested we could explore changing the meeting time if it better suited everyone's schedule.

Result: My co-worker appreciated the candid conversation and explained they had a recurring personal obligation that occasionally ran over time. We collectively decided to move the meeting half an hour later. This adjustment allowed my co-worker to attend on time consistently, improving both the meeting efficiency and team morale.