In Practical Exercise Scenario 5, what is the best course of action?

• A. Talk to Liam to see how he is doing
• B. Punish Liam for poor performance
• C. Place Liam on administrative leave
• D. Assign Liam to a different project without discussion

Answer: (A)

Open communication and supporting a team member when performance dips helps you uncover what’s going on and set up a path for improvement. The best course of action is to talk to Liam to see how he is doing. A direct, compassionate check-in shows you care about his well-being and success, and it invites him to share any personal or work-related obstacles he might be facing—whether unclear expectations, workload issues, skill gaps, or external factors. This conversation helps you gather essential information, build trust, and collaboratively identify practical steps (adjusting goals, offering resources, or providing additional support) to help him get back on track, while also setting clear expectations and a plan for follow-up. Punitive actions, removing him from the project without discussion, or disciplinary steps without understanding the cause can undermine trust and morale and fail to address the root issue.