You observe that a colleague always arrives late to a weekly meeting. What would you do?

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. It examines how you handle situations that could impact team dynamics and productivity. The interviewer is interested in seeing if you can address issues professionally and constructively, maintaining a positive working environment.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, we had a weekly team meeting every Monday morning. I noticed that one of my colleagues, who was responsible for updating us on a crucial part of the project, often arrived late, causing delays and interruptions.

Task: My responsibility was to ensure that our meetings were productive and that everyone was on the same page to meet our project deadlines.

Action: I decided to address this issue directly but empathetically. I approached my colleague in private and expressed my observations. I asked if there was a specific reason for their tardiness and if there was anything I could do to help. I suggested adjusting the meeting time if that would work better for everyone, or offering to provide summaries of the earlier parts of the meeting if that would help.

Result: My colleague appreciated the private and non-confrontational approach. They explained that they had childcare responsibilities that sometimes caused them to be late. As a team, we decided to move the meeting to a slightly later time, which accommodated everyone's schedules better. This change improved our meeting efficiency, and my colleague was able to contribute more effectively, enhancing team collaboration.