A team member consistently misses deadlines; how should you address this?

• A. Publicly criticize in team meeting.
• B. Talk privately to understand obstacles, offer support, and set clear expectations.
• C. Ignore and hope it improves.
• D. Assign more work without discussion.

Answer: (B)

When deadlines are missed, the best approach is a private, collaborative conversation that aims to understand what's blocking progress and to set a clear path forward. A one-on-one discussion shows respect and creates a safe space for the teammate to share obstacles—whether unclear requirements, shifting priorities, workload stress, skill gaps, or personal issues. With that insight, you can offer concrete support, remove blockers, or adjust resources, and you can agree on a realistic plan with specific deadlines. Establishing expectations clearly and scheduling a follow-up keeps both accountability and momentum intact. Publicly criticizing erodes trust and motivation, and ignoring the issue or piling on more work without discussion only makes things worse.