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Why We Should Show Up Early for Meetings

Late Rabbit

First things first, so they say, and in the case of being an amazing person or admin, that would be showing up!

I am grateful to my mother who was always in her seat ready for whatever was going on fifteen minutes early, not leaving the house fifteen minutes early but in her seat at the venue, ready to go fifteen minutes early.  She never wavered and that didn’t matter if it was church, a movie, family picnic or an important meeting, she was and is never late.

This trait has been handed down over the generations and my children have also learned the value of being early.  When their high school band director chanted at them daily, “Early is on time, on time is late”, they were undaunted by his demand because they had grown up believing this was just the way to be.  His way was the behavior of a world-class championship band, and that they were, winning at every competition they entered.  All 150 plus teenagers showed up early for rehearsals and performances alike- prepared, and ready for the best show of their lives.

You may be thinking, “What does it matter if I am early as long as I get there on time?” I’m glad you have asked, and I will share some great sage advice on just that.

People in general will start stressing about your arrival about fifteen minutes before you are expected, and if you are already there it reduces their stress and builds confidence in their relationship with you.  Showing up early, being prepared and at the top of your game when you arrive shows people that you respect them and their time.

If you have the misfortune of a late arrival, please slip in quietly and sit at the back and get up to speed on the conversation, meeting or event.  Nothings says “I am more important than the rest of you” than a late, grand entrance or expecting everything to stop while you are brought up to speed and getting organized.  Don’t be in the habit of this disrespectful behavior and lack of respect for others.

As for showing up at the top of your game and being prepared, this is equally important.  I love this quote from Shep Hyken’s book, Be Amazing or Go Home; “Whenever you are in front of a customer or a work collogue, for any reason and anywhere, assume you are ‘on stage’ make sure it is a great performance.  Your brand – both personal and organizational depends on that commitment.  You may not always hit the goal of giving a great performance each time, but you can always aim for it.  Everything about what we do is a performance, the way we look, the clothes we wear, our body language, the way we talk, the words we choose, and our tone of voice.  Everything!”

Lastly, there is the after-hours effect to consider, acting like you are on the clock even when you are not.  I can’t tell you how many times the choice to pick up the phone or answer an email after hours changed a relationship drastically for the better.  So, don’t miss out on these opportunities to amaze the people who are counting on you.  Choose to be world class and let go of the clock in – clock out mentality.

The bottom line is show up, show up early, show up on time, show up prepared, show up at the top of your game, show up even when you are not on the clock.  Show up to give the best performance of your life.

Please consider joining us in reading this amazing book! 

Be Amazing or Go Home Book

Be Amazing or Go Home
:
Seven Customer Service Habits
That Create Confidence with Everyone

Author: Shep Hyken | ISBN: 978-0963782076

Holly Kutil

Holly Kutil

Holly Kutil is a Customer Success Manager at Innovia Consulting. She has worked in the Accounting/IT world for 40 years. She believes that every touchpoint, every connection, is an opportunity for a relationship, and by nurturing relationships and genuinely caring for people we encounter we not only serve them but ourselves as well. We all become richer from the encounter.

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