It is easy to grow quietly irritated by a colleague who is often late. Perhaps you are waiting to start a meeting, or perhaps the work you need from them arrives just too late for you to finish yours. It may seem petty to mention it, yet the annoyance tends to grow if nobody says a word. A calm, friendly conversation is usually the kindest way to clear the air, and most people are glad to know how their timing affects others.
Start with curiosity, not blame
Choose a quiet moment in private, not in front of the team. Begin with something warm, then describe what has happened in plain terms. You could say, I have noticed that we have been starting our catch-ups a little late recently, and I wondered whether something has changed. This way you are asking a question rather than making an accusation, and you give the other person room to explain.
Explain how it affects you, without exaggeration. Perhaps you have to wait, perhaps other people are left standing around, perhaps your own tasks are pushed back. Keep to the facts and avoid words such as always or never. There may be reasons that you know nothing about, from a long journey to something at home. Listening kindly often reveals more than you expect.
Look for a practical solution together. If mornings are difficult, could the shared meeting move slightly later? Could you send the material the evening before? Could a short message help when someone is running behind? Small adjustments such as these often work better than a promise to try harder. Agree on something simple, and check in with each other after a week or two.
Stay friendly afterwards. If things improve, say thank you. If they do not, you do not have to carry it alone; it may be worth having a quiet word with your manager about how the team can work around it. Remember that most people want to do well, and would rather hear a gentle word than have quiet resentment build up between you.
