Dumb Lemming Moment: Being Late For A Very Important Meeting
I’ve had my share of Dumb Lemming moments. “Am I In A Bad Reality TV Show?” I once felt as if I was an apprentice Trump’s TV show, because I was ridiculously late for a very important meeting. Years ago, I was on a business trip to meet with a potential partner. Thinking I could squeeze in a lunch with friends before the meeting, I underestimated the travel time via a cab to get from the restaurant to the meeting. I failed to realize that I would be taking a cab in rush hour! What was I thinking! During the cab ride, it was obvious I was going to be 20 to 30 minutes late. I kept feeling like I was in a bad reality TV show acting like an apprentice. I was in total disbelief. Me? Late? No-o-o! Really? OMG!!!
I’m Not Perfect, Who Knew!
Trust me; if you know me, you know that I try to control my environment as much as possible. I’m the one, who’s always early to meetings, because I like be there first, as I gather my thoughts. For situations like this one, I always estimate travel time, and then build in an extra 30 minutes just in case something happens. I plan for every scenario. So being late was unacceptable. Frankly, I was mortified and tried my best to remain composed during the meeting.
Four Smart Lemming Tips
All I could do was call the potential partner from the cab and estimate how far out I was. Fortunately, the primary person I was meeting was flexible and easy going. He wasn’t concerned at all. However, the secondary person had to adjust his schedule to accommodate my lateness. As a result, the secondary person was distant when the meeting started. I worked hard to build rapport with this guy, since he obviously not pleased with my lateness. At the end of the day, my lateness wasn’t a deal breaker, but I learned four valuable things:
- Be early: always be early by 30 minutes no matter what. Estimate travel time, any time, just get there early. Yes, it was a fluke in my situation, but I tell myself this every time I have a meeting. Factor in rush hour or anything that could happen to you, making you late.
- Stay focused: mixing fun in the middle of a business day on a business trip was a bad idea. If it’s the only way to connect, then I’ll practice #1 above by leaving early, so I can get to my engagement early.
- Hire a driver: back then, I didn’t know enough to hire a driver like I do today. Having a car service is ideal rather than being dependent on a cab, which is more stressful and not flexible. You’re waiting for the cab to show, while a driver is always on time and waiting for you, rather than the other way around.
- Too be too hard on myself: remember that even Smart Lemmings, eventually will have Dumb Lemming moments. I try to reframe this mistake as an opportunity to learn how not to repeat my judgment errors.
But still, having a dumb lemming moment is…well, embarrassing…
