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

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, interpersonal communication, and ability to handle workplace conflicts professionally. It's a behavioral interview question, so you'll want to use the STAR method to structure your response. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you would manage a situation where a coworker's behavior impacts team dynamics and productivity. They want to see that you can address the issue effectively while maintaining a positive work environment.

Answer

Situation: In a previous role, I noticed that a coworker was consistently arriving late to our weekly team meetings. This delay often disrupted the flow of the meeting and sometimes caused us to run over the allotted time.

Task: As a team member committed to maintaining a productive and respectful meeting environment, I took it upon myself to address the issue in a constructive manner.

Action: I approached my coworker privately after one of our meetings. I expressed understanding, acknowledging that everyone can have occasional scheduling conflicts. I then inquired if there were any particular challenges they were facing that caused them to be late. I offered to assist in finding a solution, such as adjusting the meeting time if it was a recurring conflict or helping to streamline their schedule.

Result: The conversation led to an open discussion about time management and meeting priorities. My coworker appreciated the private and understanding approach. They made a concerted effort to arrive on time for future meetings, which improved our meeting efficiency and maintained a positive team dynamic. Additionally, it strengthened our working relationship, as they felt supported rather than criticized.