Is it about time or opportunity?

I once overheard a lady complaining about her employer checking in to see if she’d shown up to the boutique. “By morning there are no sales anyway. She just wants to know that I’m there. I don’t even get her mschew,” she grumbled. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony—having been an employer myself for the past year, I could relate. I used to wonder why my own employee, despite repeated warnings, would stroll in ten minutes late every morning like it was a casual brunch appointment. No matter how much I reminded her, she just couldn’t seem to get it together. Then it hit me—it wasn’t defiance; it was a habit. And as we all know, old habits are hard to break.

So, I decided to try something unconventional. Instead of nagging her about the ten minutes, I moved her reporting time half an hour earlier. Believe it or not, she started showing up ten minutes after the new time! It was genius—or at least it felt like it. But as much as I patted myself on the back, I realized this was just a short-term fix. It got me thinking, do employees really understand that showing up on time isn’t just about fulfilling a contract? It’s about opportunity. They might be thinking, “Ah, there’s no business in the morning; why rush?” But how do they know that this could be the day when preparation meets opportunity? How many chances have been missed because someone thought, “Eh, what’s ten minutes?”

In Kenya, we have this relaxed attitude towards time. “Africa time” we call it, almost as if it’s a cultural badge of honor. But for an employer, time isn’t just money—it’s the difference between business growth and missed opportunities. If you’re consistently late, how can you expect to advance in your career? You’re sending the wrong message: “I’m not reliable. I don’t respect my time, let alone the company’s time.”

Now, to my fellow employers, here’s where we need to step in with solutions. Clearly, nagging doesn’t work (trust me, I tried). Instead:

1. Shift the Mindset: Explain to your employees that time isn’t just a number on the clock; it’s a demonstration of reliability and discipline. Help them understand that being early or on time isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a reputation-builder.
2. Set Clear Expectations: Employees might not fully grasp the importance of punctuality unless it’s explicitly laid out. Instead of focusing on penalties, highlight the benefits—like career growth, trust, and even bonuses for those who consistently show up on time.
3. Reward the Punctual: Everyone loves a good incentive. If there’s something in it for them, they’re more likely to put in the effort. Even a small reward for consistent punctuality can go a long way in changing behavior.
4. Lead by Example: If you’re always running late as the employer, your employees will follow suit. Set the standard by arriving early and being fully present.
5. Offer Flexibility Where Possible: Sometimes employees have genuine reasons for tardiness—kids, traffic, life. If you can accommodate flexible working hours without affecting business, it may encourage better time management.

At the end of the day, punctuality isn’t just about keeping your boss happy—it’s about preparing yourself for success. The earlier you show up, the more time you have to catch those opportunities that others miss while they’re hitting snooze. So, next time you’re tempted to stroll in late because “nothing happens in the morning,” remember: success favors the early bird—especially one that shows up on time!