Joe Saviak’s Post

we go by the Lombardi clock.....if you are not 15 minutes early you are late.

Being early is on time. Being on time is late.

I was always told if you are 10 mins early you are on time

Ten minutes early, one minute early….. early is early, late is late is a thing of the past. Present times say if you perform well, meet or exceed your deadline’s, create new efficiencies, think outside the box and improve processes, manage your time well, blah blah blah…. Then whole time clock thing doesn’t really matter. Unless you’re trying to micro manage. In todays world the only definition of late on a professional level is the incapability to deliver. Otherwise time is just time. What takes one person 10 minutes might take someone else 3 hours. Value of time can’t be weighed the same for everyone!

Ten minutes early, probably no negative consequences and lower anxiety. One minute late and untold negative consequences. Not every thing is on the internet. Try boarding an airline one minute late. Try bidding one minute late in an auction. Try filing your tax return one minute late. I have always taught my children this principle.

"If you are 15 minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. And if you are late, don't bother showing up. " My Da told me this all the time. I often arrive 30 minutes late, especially to in person meetings, (a little more difficult with virtual back to back meetings) or going to an appointment in an unfamiliar facility. Being on time was a big deal for my Da, he felt it showed great disrespect to be late.

I agree in general … but think it depends on one’s role. The best thing is to be punctual - which means “ on time”. Showing up late is never good. If the senior official shows up ten minutes early … that could create problems and then prompt all attendees to “show up early” … thus wasting a LOT of time (collectively) just in case he/she does it again. Ditto if the senior person routinely shows up late (unfortunately … some do this because they believe it is a power thing). Sure … if I was going to see a senior official (like DIRNSA or the SOCOM Commander - when I was NSA REp there)I would always strive to be a few minutes “early” just to make sure I would NOT be late.

Western culture strongly values efficiency, urgency, and timeliness above relationships and connection. It's a very Western culture-centric approach to assume that *everyone* experiences promptness as an affirmation of value. And even a person that deeply values punctuality may feel much more valued if you're fully present and engaged with them even if you're a minute late rather than showing up 10 minutes early and being distracted and abrupt because you're stressed about making it early to the next appointment.

I was taught the difference between “it’s” and “its”

I prefer for people to show up on time. If I scheduled a meeting for 3 pm, please don't show up 15 minutes early. I had work to do until that time. Now I feel guilty for making you wait for me and I've lost 15 minutes of work I could have focused on. Same goes with supper time. If I invited you for supper at 6 pm, please don't show up until that time. I want people to respect the fact that I have a schedule and showing up early is just a rude as showing up late.