No more 'To Do' List item 4 isDO NOT TURN UP TO MEETINGS ON TIME
This is known as Lombardi Time.
The great Hall of Fame football coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, invented a strategy that he recommended to his coaches and players.
Lombard Time states "Show up for every important business meeting 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled meeting time."
The idea is to use the 15 minutes to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and preplan what you want to accomplish in the meeting and how you'll go about it.
The idea is to use the 15 minutes to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and preplan what you want to accomplish in the meeting and how you'll go about it.
I hate being late. If others are late I consider it the height of rudeness (can't they be bothered/organised...).
Here's a thought from Jack Carroll's blog... If you look closely (because you arrived early...!), you'll see people arrive at meetings, and this will tell you a lot about the way they lead their lives.
RELEVANT LINKS
Jack Carroll's blog on Lombardi Time
No more 'To Do' lists #3 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #2 - blog entry
No more 'To Do' lists #1 - blog entry
The Four-hour Workweek – Escape the 9-5 and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss…
3 comments:
Excellent post Robert, and an aspect ignored too much these days.
I usually identify those late arrivers with weakness, i.e. they immediately lose a lot of respect and negotiating ground. Aside from being unprofessional, it can really leave you on the back foot when arriving late.
A small percentage of lateness can be put down to traffic delays, flight delays, or inconsiderate clients or bosses causing a domino effect through their own poor planning. Most tardiness, however, is down to poor planning on the part of the attendee.
I also hate being late, and try to plan being in the vicinity of an important meeting the night before, or if local, ensure my journey by taking into consideration any directions and potential problems. I usually arrive 20 minutes before-hand, and it really gives me a psychological edge, perceived and actual.
This takes us to another point though, especially in negotiations, sometimes those who you are meeting see it as their game-plan to keep you waiting. If this is ever the case, ensure that you always have work with you to go on with, and if they really take advantage, make them wait after they or their secretary tells you to go in while you "finish" your current task. Never hurry to pack away your work, and never carry the contents of your briefcase in your arms. Be calm, methodical and thus professional.
You were decent enough to be there on (before) time, and it takes back any advantage they think they've gained on you....
Excellent post Robert, and an aspect ignored too much these days.
I usually identify those late arrivers with weakness, i.e. they immediately lose a lot of respect and negotiating ground. Aside from being unprofessional, it can really leave you on the back foot when arriving late.
A small percentage of lateness can be put down to traffic delays, flight delays, or inconsiderate clients or bosses causing a domino effect through their own poor planning. Most tardiness, however, is down to poor planning on the part of the attendee.
I also hate being late, and try to plan being in the vicinity of an important meeting the night before, or if local, ensure my journey by taking into consideration any directions and potential problems. I usually arrive 20 minutes before-hand, and it really gives me a psychological edge, perceived and actual.
This takes us to another point though, especially in negotiations, sometimes those who you are meeting see it as their game-plan to keep you waiting. If this is ever the case, ensure that you always have work with you to go on with, and if they really take advantage, make them wait after they or their secretary tells you to go in while you "finish" your current task. Never hurry to pack away your work, and never carry the contents of your briefcase in your arms. Be calm, methodical and thus professional.
You were decent enough to be there on (before) time, and it takes back any advantage they think they've gained on you....
The #1 Killer of Meetings (And What You Can Do About It)
http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2011/04/the-1-killer-of-meetings-and-w.html
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