Giving Difficult Feedback to a Team Member

Tom, come in! Thanks for popping in.

Sure. So... is everything alright?

Don't worry, you're not in trouble.

Honestly, your design work this year has been brilliant.

Oh, thanks! That's really nice to hear.

Well... there's something I've been meaning to raise, though.

Three deadlines have been missed in the last month.

Three? Really? I thought it was just the one.

The client report was handed in two days late.

And you've been arriving after ten most mornings.

Hang on, I always stay late to make up for it!

Nobody complains when I'm here at seven at night.

I know, and that hasn't gone unnoticed.

But the team needs you here for the morning stand-up.

Right... I suppose that's fair enough.

To be honest, things have been tough at home.

My partner started night shifts in September.

So I do the school run every morning,

Ugh, and then the trains are a complete nightmare.

Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry. I had no idea.

Okay, let's see what we can do about it.

What if you started at ten and finished at six?

Wait, would that actually be allowed?

Absolutely. Flexible hours were introduced last year.

Wow, that would take a huge weight off my shoulders!

In return, I'd like us to agree on clear check-ins.

Let's say a quick catch-up every Monday and Thursday.

That sounds fair. I'll flag problems before they snowball.

Ha, and no more heroic late nights, alright?

Ha, deal! The kids will be thrilled.

Thanks for being so understanding about all this.

Thank you for being honest with me. That took courage.

Now, let's get that next project off to a flying start!

Definitely! I'm really looking forward to it!