Late Again? Here’s What You’re Actually Saying

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I used to be chronically late to meetings.

I would show up 3, 5, and sometimes even 10 minutes late and offer the obligatory, “I’m so sorry, [insert lame excuse here].”

99% of the time, the person I was meeting with would respond with, “No problem, I totally understand.”

Until one day, when a prospective new client changed my understanding of showing up on time.

I had a phone call scheduled with a CEO, and because another meeting had run over, I was about 5 minutes late.

I started the conversation by apologizing for the delay and waited for the customary “no big deal” response.

Instead, I was greeted with, “CJ, before we go any further, I don’t think it makes sense to continue this conversation. If you can’t show up for our first meeting on time, I very much doubt that you’ll be able to deliver the type of service I’m expecting.”

I was shell-shocked.

Looking back, it was exactly what I needed, and I’m forever grateful for his honest and blunt approach.

Arriving late sends one clear message – “My time is more valuable than yours.”

It’s deeply offensive.

If you value relationships, show up on time and be prepared.

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—CJ McClanahan

Speaker | Advisor | Recovering Overachiever

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