It's only a Few Minutes...What's the Big Deal!

It’s Only a Few Minutes… Or Is It?

An employee asked a question recently:

“Why does everyone get so bent out of shape when I’m a few minutes late? What difference does it really make?”

On the surface, it feels like a fair question.
After all, the work still gets done. The effort is there. The intention isn’t bad.

But here’s the reality:
Workplaces don’t run on intent alone. They run on shared expectations.

Lateness isn’t really about minutes.
It’s about what behavior communicates — especially when it becomes a pattern.

Repeated lateness can quietly send messages like:

• My time matters more than yours

• The rules are flexible — for me

• Someone else will adjust

Most people don’t mean to send those messages.
But intent doesn’t cancel impact.

That’s why leaders react so strongly — even when they struggle to explain why.
Because lateness becomes a fairness issue, a morale issue, and a trust issue long before it becomes a policy issue.

And this is where many leaders get stuck.

They ignore it too long.
They don’t want to be nit-picky.
They hope it fixes itself.

Until frustration builds.

The solution isn’t micromanaging time.
It’s clarity.

Clear expectations.
Clear conversations.
Clear accountability — paired with problem-solving when there’s a legitimate barrier.

When expectations are clear, accountability feels fair — not personal.

And when small behaviors are addressed early, culture stays intact.

If you’re an employee, this is an invitation to reflect on what your habits communicate.
If you’re a leader, it’s permission to address small issues before they quietly become big ones.