I was only a few pages into the book, and I’d already highlighted dozens of excellent quotes when I was stopped in my tracks by this eight-word statement:
“We honor people when we honor their time.”
Though I was eager to keep reading Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller’s powerful little business fable, Great Leaders Grow, I had to take a moment to reflect on that simple but powerful truth.
There are a lot of things I value in this life, but there is one thing I consider priceless, and that is time. How I would love to have more time! More time to spend with my loved ones, more time to pursue my hobbies, more time to check things off my bucket list, and more time to simply enjoy living on this earth!
I remember back in my busy hospital CEO days there often just didn’t seem to be enough time in the day to do all that I needed – and wanted – to do. Even now, when the privilege of “retirement” should be freeing up my days to spend as I wish, somehow there still isn’t enough time in the day to do everything on my list!
Time is a priceless commodity, and I think there is undeniable truth in the statement, “We honor people when we honor their time.” I find nothing quite as frustrating as having precious time wasted. While there are many definitions of what constitutes “wasted time,” I think we’d all agree that we don’t enjoy waiting for people to show up to meetings late, commuting through endless stop-and-go traffic, or having to sit through someone’s long-winded spiel that has no perceived relevance.
I think when it comes to time, it’s a simple matter of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I don’t like my time wasted, so I am resolved to not waste anyone else’s. I would like to be shown consideration and respect when it comes to my time, so I will show the same to others.
If time is truly priceless – and I believe it is – then it is a priceless gift when we honor people by honoring their time.
Question: In what ways do you most appreciate when people honor your time?
