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

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle situations involving team dynamics and punctuality, which are crucial for maintaining professional standards in a workplace. The interviewer is looking to understand your approach to conflict resolution, your communication skills, and your ability to foster a cooperative team environment. In this situation, it is important to demonstrate your capacity to address the issue tactfully while maintaining a positive and productive relationship with your co-worker.

Answer

Situation: At my previous job, I noticed that a co-worker was consistently late to our weekly project meetings, which caused some delays in our discussions and affected the team's progress.

Task: As a team member responsible for coordinating these meetings, it was important for me to ensure that everyone was on time so we could maximize our productivity and meet deadlines.

Action: I decided to have a private conversation with my co-worker. I approached them in a friendly and non-confrontational manner, expressing that I valued their input in our meetings. I asked if there were any specific challenges or scheduling conflicts causing the delays. They mentioned that they were struggling with back-to-back meetings. Together, we brainstormed possible solutions, such as adjusting our meeting time slightly or setting up a reminder system to help manage their schedule better.

Result: My co-worker appreciated the understanding and support, and we agreed on a new meeting time that accommodated their schedule. As a result, they started attending meetings on time, which improved our team's efficiency and collaboration. This experience reinforced the importance of open communication and flexibility in resolving workplace issues.