First…Punctuality.
“The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.”
-Franklin P. Jones
There is a low grumbling throughout society that we are losing grasp of many of our basic time-honored practices of civility. Name-calling, vulgarity, and lack of respect for authority seem rampant in our YouTube society. Simply put, civility is recognizing the humanity in others. Basic foundations of civility begin with awareness, sympathy, impulse control, and, most importantly, respect. Interestingly, many of the most successful businessmen in the world seem to have mastered the Art of Respect. Not only do they show respect, but they demand respect in return.
How does respect and business success possibly relate to punctuality?? To be punctual is to show respect of another person’s time. Conversely, a business associate that is habitually late has a complete disrespect of your time.
“Punctuality is the politeness of Kings.”
-Louis XVIII
The staff of Wildcatters Network has searched high and low for any self-help book or article that even remotely suggests that a pillar of a successful business career starts with always being late for your appointments. In fact, the only person that seems downright annoyed by punctuality is the 19th century playwright, poet, and novelist Oscar Wilde, who is quoted as saying:
“Punctuality is the thief of time.”
Far be it from Oscar Wilde to cater to common civility. Of course, this is the same man who also said:
“I can resist everything…except temptation.”
He sounds like a fun guy to hang out with in Vegas for a weekend, however I don’t think you would want him on your Board of Directors.
Wildcatters are very busy people. While there are sometimes unforeseen emergencies, if you make it a habit of being late to your appointments with a Wildcatter you are sending a loud and clear message. Eventually, and maybe at the worst possible time, there will come a reckoning.
Bottom line to every Wildcatter and Wildcatter-in-training: show respect and demand respect; both begin with a common habit – BE ON TIME!!!
“Punctuality is the soul of business.”
-Thomas C. Halliburton