Chronically late or procrastinates
The report you asked for a fortnight ago arrives at 2 a.m. on the deadline, or not at all, and they're late for meetings.
Rule out first
Overload and conflicting priorities. Unclear briefs. A task they don't believe in. Different cultural norms about time.
What could explain it
Disengagement and quiet quitting: Only with this kind of task or this boss; elsewhere they're on time and effective.
ADHD in adults: Lifelong, across all areas, with time blindness and good work under pressure.
Perfectionism: They delay because starting means risking a poor result; the work, when it comes, is excellent.
Passive aggression: Delays are aimed at someone; ask, and they deny any problem, but the lateness lands on that person.
Psychological reactance: Being told to do it makes them resist; choice restores motivation.
Major depression: New, with low energy, poor sleep and loss of interest across life.
A next move
Give them full choice on one task and a deadline set by them. On time means reactance or disengagement; late anyway means ADHD; late and polished means perfectionism; check for low mood if new.
If it’s you
What am I avoiding feeling when I don't start?