Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker. How did you handle the situation?

Once, I had a difficult coworker who was consistently late and uncooperative. This created a strain on the team's productivity and morale. To handle the situation, I initiated a conversation with my coworker to express my concerns and understand their perspective. During our discussion, I actively listened to their grievances and tried to empathize with their challenges. Together, we identified solutions such as setting clear expectations, creating a schedule, and establishing open lines of communication. I also offered my support and assistance whenever possible. By addressing the issue directly and finding common ground, we were able to improve our working relationship and enhance the overall teamwork.

In my previous role, I encountered a challenging coworker who frequently exhibited unprofessional behavior and created a negative atmosphere within our team. Recognizing the impact of this on our work and team dynamics, I decided to address the issue directly. I requested a one-on-one meeting with my coworker to discuss our concerns and find a resolution. During the meeting, I emphasized the importance of open and respectful communication. I actively listened to their perspective and shared my observations, highlighting the specific instances that were causing tension. Together, we brainstormed solutions, such as implementing a clear system for task allocation and deadlines, and maintaining regular check-ins to ensure accountability. Additionally, I offered my assistance and support whenever they faced any obstacles. This approach not only improved our working relationship but also fostered a more positive and cohesive team environment.

During my time as a steward, I encountered a particularly challenging coworker who had a habit of delegating tasks unfairly, undermining team members, and creating an unproductive work environment. To tackle this issue, I took a proactive approach. I scheduled a team meeting to address our concerns openly and collaboratively. During the meeting, I facilitated a discussion where team members shared their experiences and feelings about the coworker's behavior. This allowed us to gain a collective understanding of the issue and gave everyone a voice in finding a resolution. To ensure a constructive conversation, I encouraged active listening, empathy, and respect. After a thorough discussion, we collectively agreed on establishing a rotation system for task allocation and implementing a buddy system for support. This not only ensured fairness but also fostered teamwork and enhanced collaboration. To sustain the positive changes, I arranged regular team check-ins to maintain open lines of communication and address any emerging issues. As a result, the challenging coworker's behavior significantly improved, and our team became more cohesive and productive.