How do you handle an employee who's always late?
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What's Really Going On: A report is late to meetings again and again. What's often going on?
Something specific: a schedule clash, caregiving, or unclear norms. Lateness often has a fixable cause. Assuming disrespect is the fundamental attribution error at work. Source: Wikipedia – Fundamental attribution error
What To Do: What should you do?
Ask privately, state the impact, and agree on a fix. A private, curious question surfaces the cause and keeps their dignity. Source: Center for Creative Leadership – Use SBI to inquire about intent
Why It Works: Why does it work?
It treats the cause instead of punishing the symptom. Asking about the cause turns a reprimand into a conversation, and fixing the real constraint is what changes the behavior. Source: Center for Creative Leadership – Use SBI to inquire about intent