Question

A team leader comes to HR for advice. The team is meeting its first milestone goals, but the team leader is worried about the effect on future productivity of one team member. This person spends more time socializing at meetings than talking about the task at hand. What should the HR professional recommend?

Coach the individual privately on more professional conduct.
Manage the risk now and replace the team member quickly.
At the next meeting, make a point of correcting the socializing behavior.
Give the team time to develop its roles and relationships.

Answer 1

The HR professional should advise the team leader to privately coach the individual on professional conduct, emphasizing the importance of focusing on tasks during meetings and setting measurable goals for improvement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The HR professional should recommend that the team leader coach the individual privately on more professional conduct. This approach respects the individual's dignity and provides an opportunity for personal development. It allows for a tailored conversation where the team leader can acknowledge the team member's strengths while discussing the importance of focusing on tasks during meetings. The goal is to encourage positive team participation and discourage behaviors that may detract from productivity.

During the conversation, it might be helpful to remind the team member of their value to the team and to discuss how their contributions help in meeting team goals. Emphasizing the need for everyone to participate actively in discussions about the work at hand aligns with the expectation of being a professional. The team leader might also suggest setting measurable goals for improvement and offer support as the team member works towards these.