Interview Questions/Behavioral & Leadership/Handling an Underperforming Team Member
IntermediateBehavioral
5 min

Handling an Underperforming Team Member

Performance ManagementLeadershipCoaching
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Interview Question

Tell me about a time you had to manage a team member who was underperforming. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?

Key Points to Cover
  • Identifies the performance gap clearly
  • Provides constructive feedback and expectations
  • Offers support and coaching to improve
  • Takes corrective action if needed
Evaluation Rubric
Defines the performance gap25% weight
Provides actionable feedback25% weight
Supports with coaching/training25% weight
Explains the final outcome25% weight
Hints
  • 💡Focus on empathy but remain firm on accountability.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
  • ⚠️Delaying the conversation until the issue becomes severe.
  • ⚠️Providing vague or overly general feedback without specific examples.
  • ⚠️Failing to explore the root cause of the underperformance.
  • ⚠️Not setting clear, measurable, and time-bound expectations for improvement.
  • ⚠️Neglecting to follow up or provide ongoing support after the initial conversation.
Potential Follow-up Questions
  • What would you do differently?
  • How did you track their progress?
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