This one is sneaky because the instinct is to frame yourself as the hero who just keeps working hard.
Show empathy and curiosity first, seeking to understand your teammate's perspective before defending your pace. Then demonstrate a structured approach: assess the situation objectively, have a direct 1:1 conversation, decide on manager involvement based on impact, and adjust or hold your ground with clear reasoning. Emphasize collaboration and shared goals.
Pro tip: Frame the conversation around team outcomes and psychological safety, not personal pace. Mention that you'd ask your teammate what specific behaviors feel intense and whether there are ways to adjust without compromising delivery.
Gather data on your pace, project deadlines, and team norms to determine if the feedback is valid. Consider whether your pace is necessary for the project or if it's a personal preference that can be adjusted.
Schedule a private 1:1 to listen actively and understand their concerns without defensiveness. Ask clarifying questions and explore specific examples to identify root causes.
If the issue affects team performance or requires resource changes, involve your manager as a facilitator. Otherwise, handle it peer-to-peer to maintain trust and autonomy.
Collaboratively agree on adjustments if they don't harm project goals; otherwise, explain why the pace is necessary and offer support to help them cope.
Check in regularly to ensure the solution works and adjust as needed, showing commitment to the teammate's well-being and team success.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.