What if your employees were like Guns and Roses fans?

You have probably heard that the band, Guns and Roses, were booed and pelted with bottles in Ireland because they were 1 1/2 hours late for starting the show. As I listened to the news story on the radio, I felt a moment of disgust and found myself thinking, "how dare you be so self-absorbed!" Sure, this is not unexpected from some rock stars, but let's think this through for a moment:

What's the cost of 90 minutes of time for thousands of people? What might the opportunity costs be? The costs are HUMONGOUS. What would you have to tell yourself that would make showing up 90 minutes late for a concert (where people PAID to see YOU) an OK THING TO DO? I can't imagine the mindset that rationalizes that this as acceptable performance.

Let's relate this to management and work professionalism, now. How many of you are habitually late? What if you suffered from the politically correct versions of being booed and pelted when you showed up late? What if people did not wait for you?

As managers and leaders, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the members of Guns and Roses are apparently doing (I say this because the newscaster said that the band is known for showing up late). I know that some people struggle more than others to be on time, but tough cookies. Being habitually late, when a specific time is agreed to and especially when groups are involved, is irresponsible, rude, and self-absorbed. It has to be self-absorbed - somewhere in your head you are rationalizing that this is OK and your argument will be some version of the following thought, "my time is more valuable than yours and it is OK for you to wait for me." You probably don't say it like that in your head, but it often boils down to this.

I am not talking about the occasional lateness caused by freak things like traffic piles ups, stuck elevators, or suddenly being called to the big boss's office.  My tough stance is aimed at habitually late people - you know who you are. :-)

Weigh in!

Comments

[Dawn Bugni]

Lisa -

Great post. This is my first time visit to your blog ... found it through a Twitter tweet. Good stuff.

I share your consternation with people who arbitrarily decide their time is more valuable than mine. As you said, things happen. And like you, I can overlook when they do ...

An offshoot of habitual lateness is the need some meeting organizers have to "wait to start until everyone gets here." Drives me insane.

I took a dog training class many years ago. The trainer had a no nonsense approach to training and to class conduct. I carry her "start on time" philosophy with me to this day.

She said: Class starts on time, promptly, as publicized. I do not punish those who arrive on time by making them wait for the latecomers. I do not reward and encourage bad behavior and discourage good behavior with dogs or humans."

Wish everyone were as wise as that trainer.

Thanks for addressing an issue rampant in today's "me-centric" society.

[lisa haneberg]

Oh, Dawn, I could not agree more and thanks for stopping by the blog. Yes, we should not reward late people and teach the otherwise on time people that coming late is a better use of time.

And I have to wonder about work climates where lateness is common - do they late ownership and discipline in other aspects of their work? Likely!