Q&A - what do I do when someone is always late?

Q: What should I do when someone continues to show up late week after week? This is the case for rehearsals AND Sunday morning. I wouldn’t be upset if it was just a couple minutes but it’s 15 to 30 minutes late every time. It’s driving me crazy!

A: Start with a question. Something like, “I’ve noticed you’ve been late a lot lately. Is everything okay?” You might be surprised at the answer. It could be a job thing, a transportation issue, or any number of other things. Start with a question and see where it takes you.

If it’s a lack of care for being on time, I’d begin a conversation about honor. I’d talk about how being late doesn’t show honor to what we’re doing, who we’re doing it with, or whom we’re doing it for.

I’d also talk about unity. It causes a rift on a team when team members are left waiting for other members. As a team of ministers, you have to have unity. If not, you won’t be effective. (See Psalm 133:1-3)

Those aren’t always easy conversations to have. Sometimes it feels really strange and sometimes people react poorly. Sometimes you feel like the bad guy. But as the leader you have to have conversations that will make your team better.

Before I end this post, let me say this - have lots of grace. Don’t let the “issue” of being late (or anything else) overshadow loving people. The people on most of the teams we discuss here are volunteers. Don’t be too hard on them. The best way to lead people is to love people. Part of loving people is having grace.