How do you handle underperforming team members?

Your Answer

How To Answer This Question?

When answering this question, it's important to demonstrate your ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and empathy. Start by explaining the importance of identifying the root cause of the underperformance. This could involve one-on-one meetings to understand any personal or professional issues the team member might be facing.

Next, discuss the steps you take to support the team member in improving their performance. This could include setting clear performance expectations, providing additional training or resources, and offering regular feedback and encouragement.

Provide an example from your past experience where you successfully helped an underperforming team member improve. Highlight the positive outcome and what you learned from the experience.

For instance:

"In my previous role, I had a team member who was struggling to meet their sales targets. I scheduled a private meeting to discuss their performance and understand any challenges they were facing. It turned out they were having difficulty with a new sales software we had implemented. I arranged for additional training sessions and paired them with a more experienced team member for mentorship. Over the next few months, their performance improved significantly, and they eventually became one of our top performers. This experience taught me the value of providing tailored support and the importance of continuous development."