At Proteus, we love arriving at least an hour early and being super-organised for all our events, training programs and workshops, regardless of whether they are Face-to-Face or Virtual.
Call us control freaks, but there is something magical about being well-prepared with everything in order before people arrive. Plus, it gives us some buffer if things do somehow go awry with the venue, studio equipment, traffic, video conference links, etc. All without the drama or panic, if we didn’t have time!
Then when it’s ‘showtime’, we’re ready to go and totally focused on our customers.
Being an events company for the last thirty years, ‘being early’ is part of our DNA. In fact, we have a Non-negotiable Team Rule… “be one hour early before any event!”
What’s interesting is that being early for events has spilled over to everything else that we do at Proteus. We have a Mantra that says: “Being on Time is Late.” This means that for all our internal appointments (and especially all our external client meetings), the expectation is that you arrive early.
When you arrive early, it indicates that you are prepared. You have a plan. Your intention is to make quality decisions and get things done.
Being early demonstrates respect and courtesy for everyone else. Being early means that you can be fully present and engaged. This is where relationships are forged, progress is made and innovative ideas have space to breathe.
The rare time that someone is late, then the meeting simply starts without them. People know that they will slide into the meeting later, without fuss or drama. They can wait for an appropriate pause in the meeting to express a simple apology.
Not being rushed or under intense pressure is such a beautiful thing. Especially in today’s 24/7 digital environment where people keep telling me that their workplace culture is full of ‘busyness'… people are rushed, constantly late, disorganised and unprepared.
Busyness and Lateness are Not Badges of Honour
Being caught up in a culture of busyness and being constantly late is not badge of honour. It’s disrespectful, rude and selfish!
While you may be deluding yourself that this sends out a message of ‘your importance’, well it doesn’t.
It sends out a message of arrogance. Unfortunately, most people who are seeing you behave like this are too afraid to call it out. Especially if you are more senior to them!
As US author and journalist Heidi McLaughlin poignantly states, "Being late is a way of saying that your own time is more valuable than the time of the person who waited for you."
Habitual continual lateness is more than a bad habit. It’s an inconsiderate act that damage relationships, trust and stops any sense of meaningful progress.
Being early is also a habit. It’s a beautiful trait for leaders to work on to demonstrate humility. It shows that they care deeply about the people they work with and the clients that we all serve.
I encourage you all to embrace the mantra of Being on Time is Late! It is a much better world to live and work in.
Wishing you a wonderful week of being early and fully present.
Richard Dore
CEO - Director of Partnerships
Proteus Leadership
How To Become An Inspirational Presenter And Communicator
Australia’s premier communication & public speaking program.
The ability to craft communication and presentations that are compelling has always been a critical skill for leaders to develop.
Whether you need to pitch a persuasive argument to your executive, sell change to your staff or colleagues, inform people to inspire action, present a message from the heart, deliver a workshop, or to represent your company through a keynote – leaders are expected to do these things exceptionally well.
Leadership Speak has been designed to assist leaders to become exceptional communicators and presenters who capture people’s minds and hearts within fast-paced workplace settings.
Over 4 x half-days expert Proteus facilitators will deliver 4 virtual sessions that will take leaders through a process require to prepare and deliver powerful and persuasive communication pieces.
These sessions will be supported by a 1 hour launch, pre-program and 1.5 hour Coaching, post-program.
This program is also delivered as a face-to-face event over 2 x consecutive days.
Next Virtual program:
Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18
The learning outcomes are practical and can be applied immediately back into your workplace, by learning how to:
