How would you handle it if a co-worker consistently arrives late to meetings?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral interview question designed to assess your interpersonal skills, ability to handle workplace conflict, and problem-solving capabilities. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you would address an issue that could affect team productivity and dynamics. The use of the word "consistently" suggests that this is a recurring problem, which requires a thoughtful and tactful approach.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I noticed that one of my coworkers, Alex, consistently arrived late to our weekly team meetings. This was affecting the team's ability to start meetings on time and sometimes led to crucial information being missed.

Task: As a project coordinator responsible for facilitating these meetings, I felt it was my responsibility to address this issue to ensure the team's efficiency and maintain a positive working environment.

Action: I decided to have a private conversation with Alex. I approached the situation with empathy, first asking if there was a particular reason for his tardiness. During our discussion, Alex revealed that he had a conflicting schedule with another responsibility just before our meeting times. I worked with him to adjust our meeting schedule slightly, which accommodated his needs without affecting the rest of the team. Additionally, I suggested setting up reminders and preparing in advance for the meetings to help him manage his time better.

Result: After our conversation and the schedule adjustment, Alex began arriving on time for the meetings. The team's productivity improved, and the meetings started promptly, allowing us to cover all necessary topics efficiently. This experience reinforced the importance of open communication and collaboration in solving workplace issues.