This is Stevea Robbins.

Welcome to the Get It Done Guys, quick and dirty tips to work less and do more.

Today we're going to talk about how to deal with people who are late to meetings.

Meetings.

I just love meetings.

No, I don't.

I hate meetings.

I especially hate meetings when people arrive late. It's truly

maddening and it disrupts the entire flow. You need to whip them into shape for the good of the

team, also because it can be really fun to use a whip. But you need to do it in a professional

manner. Be understanding. When late Lenny shows up late, how you handle it will depend on Lenny's history.

If they're usually on time, then you don't necessarily have to make lateness an issue.

It's entirely possible that they simply got held over in a prior meeting, or they got caught in a traffic jam, or their dog ate their homework.

When the meeting's over, just ask.

You showed up late. Was Fido having a low-fiber day? Canine digestion is such a delicate thing.

Once, just to be a nice person,

I would have also advised you to be deep in understanding.

But that's so pre-social media.

It's a dog-eat-dog world out there,

so smile nicely as you ask Lidney about Fido,

and make sure you both understand the subtext.

Show up on time to the next meeting

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