Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently
There was a time I had a team member who showed clear signs of being unmotivated from day one. He came to daily meetings with no energy, brought no ideas to the table, and generally carried himself with a lackadaisical attitude. I noticed it immediately, but I chose to be patient. I assumed he would improve once he got more comfortable in the role.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Over time, his lack of engagement began to cost us—resources, time, and eventually money—due to repeated mistakes and a clear unwillingness to take ownership. Still, he remained unbothered. By the time I realized the damage, it had already impacted the team’s momentum.
Looking back, I wish I had taken action during that first week. Trusting my instincts early on would have saved us a lot of setbacks. Now, I’ve learned not to overlook red flags. I’m no longer lenient when it comes to team energy and accountability. I’m more intentional with who I support—I’ll gladly offer a helping hand, but only to those who show they want to be carried.
Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style 