Question

A project manager notices that a mid-level team member consistently delivers high-quality work but has recently begun missing daily stand-ups and responding curtly to teammates. During a one-on-one, the team member states everything is 'fine' but avoids eye contact and gives short answers. What should the project manager do FIRST to support this team member's performance?

Accepted Answer

Use active listening and open-ended questions to build trust and uncover the underlying cause of the behavior change

Answer

Document the behavior changes and issue a formal performance improvement notice to establish accountability

Answer

Reassign the team member's tasks to reduce their workload until their behavior normalizes

Answer

Raise the concern in the next team retrospective so peers can provide direct feedback on the changed behavior