Punctuality is not politeness.
It’s profit.
When team members chronically show up late—whether to meetings, responses, or maintenance calls—they’re not just wasting time.
They’re fracturing trust.
The damage is subtle at first.
A missed beat here.
A delayed update there.
But eventually, the rhythm breaks.
And the rhythm is everything.
Jan Carlzon knew this.
When he took over Scandinavian Airlines, it was a mess—late, losing money, and losing customers.
Carlzon understood something most leaders miss: punctuality is cultural code.
So he made it the cornerstone.
Within a year, SAS wasn’t just on time.
It was the most on-time.
Profits followed.
Respect followed.
This lesson hits harder in multifamily.
Residents don’t remember your brand promise; they remember how long it took to fix the hot water.
They remember if you were five minutes late.
Or if you didn’t show at all.
Being on time means being trustworthy.
It means showing up for your team, residents, supplier partners, and mission.
If your team is always late, it’s not a scheduling problem.
It’s a values problem.
Teach time as a discipline.
Reward those who show up early and are prepared.
And start with yourself.
Because punctuality, like any culture shift, begins at the top.
“Punctuality isn’t just about keeping time; it’s about respecting others and upholding the integrity of our commitments.” — Mike Brewer
The fastest way to build trust in multifamily?
Be on time.
Every time.
Because when time matters to you, people matter to you.
And in this business, people always notice.