African time is really not a joke. The phrase was coined from a cultural phenomenon particular to Africans, where events and appointments may not start on time, and this is often a result of a more relaxed approach toward punctuality.
A 5:00 p.m. event in Nigeria will be scheduled for 4:00 p.m. as a practical strategy to accommodate the tendency for people to arrive late. This method intentionally aims to ensure that the event starts closer to the intended time, even if attendees arrive later than expected. While this may have been the norm, punctuality is very necessary for professionalism and is valued in every corporate setting. Being on time for work, events, and meetings shows that you respect other people’s time and commitment to their responsibilities. However, people, particularly the ones in the professional field give a nonchalant approach towards punctuality, and we have written this content to let you know how punctuality can impact your professional life.
See how punctuality can influence your professional success
A successful professional is a happy professional. However, punctuality helps you to retain this status. See what we think:
Punctuality can either cause you to retain your job or lose it
If you own a job and consistently keep to time, finish work within deadlines, get to meetings just in time, and resume work early, you may not know this but people are watching you (the management inclusive) and this can give you a very good reputation within your place of work. On the flip side, if you are one with the habit of being perpetually late, you may not only lose your job but can also miss out on great opportunities.
Punctuality helps you to establish a good relationship
Some people may not mind that you are a punctual person but some other people do and, because of this may not want anything to do with anyone who doesn’t take punctuality very seriously. Many times, punctuality means that you are reliable and people can take you for your word; if you say you will be at the meeting by 2 p.m., then you should. Anything other than that can mean that you do not respect the people you work with and can strain your relationship with them.
Read Also: Time Management Tips to Boost Your Productivity
Punctuality is a trait of good leadership
A perpetual latecomer can not be a leader. Punctuality is very important in leadership because if you are late, it means that you are telling others that their time is not as valuable as yours which doesn’t portray you as a good leader. Punctuality in leadership allows your followers to know that their productivity comes first, so you make every effort to get your planning to align with theirs.
Most times, punctuality is given greater importance than what you really do
In some cultures, the other professionals you work with will rate punctuality over anything else. So, in the long run, regardless of how skilled you are, if you do not know how to be on time, your skills do not mean a thing. Your designs are great but you are coming late to the meeting where you are supposed to present them, best believe some people may have lost interest in listening to you. Skills can be learned but being on time will always be a show of respect.
Punctuality reduces stress and increases your productivity
The many times that you decide to arrive late at a place, you may have to rush down there, be less composed, and deliver bad-quality work. But, whenever you decide to be at a meeting or event early, you are more relaxed and focus on the work ahead of you, you can even spend the extra time you have gathering your thoughts and ensuring that you have all other plans in check.
The importance of punctuality cannot be overemphasized, especially in a professional setting. It can either cause a dent in your profession (if you don’t take it seriously) or lead you toward the success you have worked for. So, whether you are a CEO, HR, team lead, or intern who works from home or goes to the office, it is important to learn the principles of punctuality and stick with it. The day you fully understand that you cannot cut corners with punctuality is the day your profession takes another good leap.
