Low Contribution Teammate
Tell me about a time a teammate was not contributing enough or pulling their weight. How did you handle it?
On any team, performance will fluctuate. People have bad weeks, get stuck on difficult problems, or have personal issues that affect their work. But sometimes, a pattern emerges. A teammate consistently fails to deliver on their commitments, submits low-quality work, or seems disengaged.
This is a difficult and sensitive situation. An underperforming teammate can be a drag on the team's velocity, damage morale, and create resentment among those who have to pick up the slack.
How you respond to this situation is a true test of your leadership potential and emotional intelligence. Do you ignore the problem? Do you complain behind their back? Or do you approach the situation with empathy and a desire to help, for the good of both the individual and the team?