As a kid, I learned the value of punctuality early.
I was always on time.
If I was going to be late, I didn’t want to go at all.
For sure, punctuality respects others’ time.
But too much of anything can be harmful, even a good thing like this.
Early in my career, I found myself annoyed whenever people ran late.
It vexed me the most when someone didn’t show up for a scheduled meeting.
I’d find myself making all kinds of uncharitable assumptions:
- “They must not care about the organization.”
- “They have no respect for their teammates.”
- AND WORST OF ALL: “They must be lazy.”
Now, I agree with the findings of Dr. Devon Price:
Laziness does not exist.
When we say someone is “lazy,” we’re making a moral judgment.
NOT a statement of fact.
It’s humbling to realize the truth:
We never really know what kind of invisible barriers someone struggles with…
UNLESS WE ASK.
Your “lazy” co-worker could be battling insomnia, depression, or even cancer.
That person could be caring for an elderly relative or studying late in the night.
Or, like so many people today, they could be stunned at the state of the world.
It takes time to deprogram ourselves from this nefarious assumption:
“If someone doesn’t meet MY expectations, they must be lazy!”
Try to catch yourself and think twice.
These days, when someone shows up to a meeting late, this is what I think:
“I’m glad nothing happened to them!”