The Power of Punctuality

Punctuality is a habit. So is tardiness. I would bet good money that habitual lifestyle, not uncontrollable circumstances, cause more than 90 percent of the instances of tardiness. 

Habitually tardy people have little idea of its cost. One person late for a meeting held among five people stymies the productivity of all five. Tardiness is one of our biggest productivity robbers. 

Research has shown up to 96 percent of dissatisfied customers don't complain-but 90 percent of them silently go elsewhere. The same is true of tardiness. People don't complain much about it, but they nonetheless have strong feelings. 

I'll bet you know someone who plays the late game for effect. He or she is too important or too busy to be on time. There are just not enough hours in the day. In reality, there are plenty of hours in the day. Tardiness is an attempt to overcome an inferiority complex. A grand entrance supposedly increases one's sense of self-importance. But then why did someone say, "The early bird gets the worm?” 

At the very heart and soul of our professional existence lies our ability to meet the expectations of others. We make commitments and we make promises. If we wish to be effective, and to be perceived as such, we have to meet expectations. And that starts with maintaining ritualistic punctuality.