November 30, 2006If You Can Manage to Get There on Time for a Change
Joel is in charge of the agenda for an association meeting. He left a voice mail on Carla’s machine saying,
- I’d like you to lead a networking activity at the beginning of the meeting if you can manage to get there on time for a change.
When asking for a favor, don’t include a put-down in your request. As an association member, Carla has no obligation to be on time to the meetings, but even if she had, indirectly mentioning her tardiness while asking for a favor leaves a bad feeling.
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While I agree that a put down is not appropriate, requesting or re-phrasing the need for promptness is acceptable if done correctly. If Carla is the appropriate person to lead the networking discussion, asking for participation and reinforcing the need for promptness is key. He might say something along the lines of: “Carla, I’d like for you to lead the networking discussion duting the “XYZ” meeting. The meeting is set to start at 4:00 p.m. and after the agenda review, we’d be set for your agenda portion at 4:05 p.m. We like to start and end on time and if that time doesn’t work for you, let me know and we may be able to schedule you later in the agenda; however, the flow of the meeting will work best if we can discuss networking.” While I realize it’s wordy and I am sure can be edited, he is conveying his need for promptness and her expertise and he is not putting her down in any way. Conveying the importance of promptness is a lost art and a lost cause in some organizations. My current work team has 3 associates committed to the 7 Step meeting process–which includes starting on time. Two associates are very lax in their promptness to team meetings. Given that 3 of us often have to commute almost an hour for in person meetings, it is quite frustrating to have to wait an additional 10 or 15 minutes for a meeting to start. It conveys that the tardy staff feel they are more important and that perhaps timeliness is not an essential function of the team. Thanks for letting me share.
Comment by Tina Metallo — November 30, 2006 @ 11:36 am
She wouldn’t be offended if she didn’t have a problem with being prompt. Kudos to the message-leaver.
B. Joseph
Comment by Billy Joseph — November 30, 2006 @ 2:30 pm
I agree with Tina, the requester needs to affirm that she can arrive on time if she agrees to lead the networking. What changes the picture somewhat is this is an association meeting with about 100 attendees who are not active participants. Those who arrived late did not disrupt the proceedings.
When lateness is a legitimate issue, it’s best not to address it on the voice mail.
Comment by merylrunion — December 7, 2006 @ 11:49 am
If the presence of Carla is needed or required wouldn’t it be more polite to ask for her attendance at a convenient time for all parties? I hate early morning meetings because I have responsibilites in the morning, so if a meeting could be scheduled for a half an hour to an hour after my arrival time that is wonderful so I can not feel rushed and be better prepared. I’m not implying that my life is more important than others–I just think it is considerate. That way it doesn’t create a situation in which I might possibly be late and frustrate others.
Comment by Holly — January 24, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Good suggestion Holly. This particular meeting was set for the convenience of the hundred attendees, so it wouldn’t be practical, but in general it makes sense to adapt to the convenience of invitees.
Comment by merylrunion — January 25, 2007 @ 12:13 pm