It appears I would risk running into oncoming traffic just to make that extra five minutes (do not attempt this). Tom Coughlin, former Head Coach of New York Giants, has a rule; meetings start five minutes early. It does not matter if you are a star football player and 2 minutes early (Michael Strahan), Tom will lock you out of the meeting and fine you for being late. Rules are rules.
Unwritten Rule
The global unwritten rule about corporate time is arriving before and leaving after your boss. This applies heavily on junior and associate level positions. A general good rule of thumb is to arrive 30 minutes prior to your official start time. Look, if this is just a job; then go ahead and count your hours. However, if you want to build a career; then you have to invest time strategically. Remember, the person you need to impress is your boss and arriving early is perhaps one of the easiest item on the checklist to accomplish this.
Behavior Reflects Character
Managing perception is vital in corporate business. The consistent 30 minutes early arrival shows someone who is diligent, discipline, and responsible all quality characteristics of young professionals in the early stages of their careers. Trust me, everyone (boss and peers) notice attendance (morning coffee/breakfast runs included). Take advantage of this most likely quiet time to catch up on work, set agendas, and start the day strong.
No One Cares If You Are Working Late
You might attempt to justify your tardiness due to working late hours. The reality is no one cares if you are working late. In fact, it can be perceived negatively.
- You are not efficient thus you need more time to complete your job (hence you might not be qualify for the role).
- You have time management issues.
- Your boss is not managing his team effectively causing unnecessary overtime (additional cost).
Time is Finite 
Your priority is to deliver on what you are hired to do. As for additional projects, focus on ones that make meaningful impact with high learning and growth potential. You cannot do everything and time is finite so chose your workload wisely and learn to say “No” and delegate resources to produce quality results. Do not procrastinate because you might be task to work on an urgent project late minute and work will pile up. Use downtime to plan your development and continue learning.
Life is More Than Just Work/Career 
“When you reach a certain age, you will not regret not working hard enough but you will regret missing out on life” as per my predecessor. Seek to manage and balance your time to achieve satisfaction in both personal and professional life. Career is important but it is not everything. In fact, a balanced personal life can positively influence your experience in your professional life. If you do not know where to start building your personal life then delegate time to learn what makes sense for you, what makes you happy, what you want to achieve in your personal life. Trying new things, meeting new people, and traveling are all good ways to start. Invest time in yourself, family, and friends because a healthy balance is one step closer to achieving happiness.
Be First to Comment