The Reason People Aren’t on Time

Summary

• If someone is consistently late, identify the underlying skill they lack. It might not be about disrespect, but another skill deficit.
• I had an employee who was never on time for 1-on-1 meetings because he couldn't say no to other people. He felt being on time for our meetings meant being mean to others by cutting off their meetings.
• For such cases, I focused on teaching him to set boundaries and say no when necessary. This way, he learned to prioritize commitments and manage his time better.
• Another employee was always late with weekly reports because he was disorganized. He had no system to keep track of due dates.
• To help him, I created a system for organizing tasks and deadlines. Once he used this system regularly, he started being on time with his reports.
• It's important to reward and acknowledge employees when they improve on these skills. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue good habits.

Video

How To Take Action

Implementation Strategies:

I would suggest identifying the underlying skill that someone is lacking if they are consistently late. It’s usually not about disrespect, but could be due to another skill deficit. Here are some strategies to implement:

1. Identify the Skill Deficit:

   • Observe patterns of lateness and have a discussion to uncover why it’s happening. Is it because the person can’t say no to others? Or maybe they are disorganized? Understanding the root cause is key.

2. Teaching Boundary-Setting:

   • If the person struggles with saying no to people, work with them on setting boundaries. Role-play scenarios where they need to politely end a meeting or decline an additional task due to prior commitments. This will help them manage their time better.

3. Create an Organizational System:

   • If disorganization is the issue, help them set up a system to track tasks and deadlines. This could be as simple as using a planner, calendar app, or a task management tool like Trello. Practice using this system regularly until it becomes a habit.

4. Positive Reinforcement:

   • Whenever the person improves and meets their commitments on time, acknowledge and reward their efforts. This encouragement helps reinforce the new habits and makes them feel appreciated for their progress.

5. Consistent Check-Ins:

   • Have regular check-ins to ensure the changes are being followed and offer support if they face new challenges. Adjust systems and strategies as needed to suit their evolving needs.

By focusing on these low-cost and high-value strategies, you can help your team or yourself become more punctual and organized, leading to better productivity and personal growth.