Have you ever had a co-worker who is always late to a scheduled meeting? What do you do in this situation?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills and your ability to handle potentially disruptive situations in the workplace. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you approach issues with colleagues that might affect team productivity and communication. They want to see if you can address problems diplomatically and constructively, and whether you can maintain a positive relationship while ensuring that team goals are met. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method will help structure your response clearly and effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, I worked closely with a team member who frequently arrived late to our weekly project meetings. This was causing delays in our discussions and affecting the team’s overall productivity.

Task: I needed to address this issue to ensure that our meetings started on time and that our project timelines stayed on track without causing any friction within the team.

Action: I decided to have a private conversation with the co-worker. I approached the situation with empathy and understanding, asking if there were any specific reasons for their tardiness and if there was anything I could do to help. During our discussion, I emphasized the importance of starting meetings on time for the benefit of the entire team. Together, we brainstormed possible solutions, such as adjusting the meeting time slightly or setting a reminder for the meetings.

Result: After our conversation, the co-worker began arriving on time more consistently. This improvement helped us conduct more efficient meetings, leading to increased productivity and a better team dynamic. Additionally, my relationship with the co-worker remained positive, as we had addressed the issue collaboratively and respectfully.