Team Lead interview question · Most asked
A high performer on your team is rude to colleagues. What do you do?
Summary
Address it quickly and privately with specific examples and their impact, make clear that how we work together is part of performance, agree a change, follow up, and involve the manager if it continues — regardless of their output.
Longer Answer
Tolerating it damages psychological safety for everyone and signals that results excuse behaviour. Use SBI ("in yesterday's review you called Ana's approach 'amateur'; she stopped contributing"), ask about their perspective, and agree concrete expectations. Recognise their strengths genuinely so the conversation is balanced — but don't trade behaviour for output.
Key Points
- Quick, private, specific
- Behaviour is part of performance
- Follow up; escalate if needed
Deep dive: Psychological Safety
Explanation
What interviewers look for
Courage and protection of team culture.
Red flags
- Excusing behaviour because of output
- Public confrontation
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