Employees who meet deadlines are often seen as more reliable and competent, attributes that are critical in fast-paced business environments like those here in East Africa.
A typical workforce narrative unfolds at a bustling tech startup here in Nairobi that involves three different employees: Wanjiku, Kiprotich, and Mutisya.
Each staff member was tasked with submitting a comprehensive project proposal by noon on Wednesday.
Wanjiku, proactive as ever, submitted her work at 8:00am, well ahead of the deadline. Kiprotich delivered his precisely at noon, while Mutisya, facing unexpected challenges, managed his submission by 6:00pm.
Despite submitting basically identical quality work because each had generally equal skills and dedication, their boss’s reaction varied dramatically.
The differential treatment, therefore, became based purely on the submission timing. In as much, it highlights a critical aspect of workplace dynamics and sets the stage for a broader discussion on deadline adherence in professional settings.
Researchers David Fang and Sam Maglio's just released study sheds light on the common workplace scenario facing many of us, indicating that not just the quality of work matters but also its timing of submission significantly influences managerial perceptions about us and our efforts.
The research reveals that while early submissions like Wanjiku’s do not necessarily earn additional merit the way she probably had hoped, the late submission on the other hand such as such as Mutisya’s could tarnish an employee's reputation.
The effect originates in diminished perceptions of the employee's competence and reliability, casting a long shadow over their whole professional image.
The research also explains that such judgments are not confined to the quality of work but extend to trust aspect of reliability and expected future performance biases.
Employees who meet deadlines are often seen as more reliable and competent, attributes that are critical in fast-paced business environments like those here in East Africa.
Such perceptions directly influence the employees’ opportunities for future projects and promotions, illustrating the profound impact of punctuality on career progression.
Interestingly, the study also explores the nuances of how different reasons for deadline deviations are perceived. As an example, if Mutisya had communicated his delays in advance, which were due to valid, external factors outside his control, then his late submission might have been received more sympathetically.
Therefore, we learn the importance of transparency and communication in professional settings, where clear dialogue exchanges about challenges can mitigate negative perceptions.
So, you inoculate yourself from the effects of the harsh thoughts of others by giving a narrative in advance to frame how the subsequent bad news of late submission will be viewed.
It works the same way a vaccine inoculates you and protects you from a future virus. Incoming US President-elect Donald Trump famously utilises professional inoculation affect to bend opinions of his followers in advance of future anticipated bad news.
While the general importance of the deadline itself plays a role, the more critical deadlines tied to significant business outcomes that effect the whole team are the delays more likely to be viewed less forgivingly, regardless of the reasons whether legitimate or frivolous.
Staff dreaming of upward mobility must pay attention to this aspect which is particularly relevant in industries where time-sensitive deliverables can make or break business success, making the adherence to deadlines a non-negotiable trait for professionals.
In light of the insights, both organisations, executives, and employees alike need to reassess their approaches to and opinions of deadlines.
Executives must foster an environment where deadlines are respected but also realistically set and flexibly managed.
Employees, on the other hand, need to treat deadlines not just as dates on a calendar but as commitments to their team and reflective of their professional integrity that can make or break careers.
As this narrative unfolds within the above-mentioned Nairobi tech startup, it serves as a microcosm of global workplace cultures, emphasising that beyond skill, the timing of one's work can significantly influence one’s career trajectory.
The research is a poignant reminder of the intricate dance between productivity, perception, and professionalism in the modern workplace.
Have a management or leadership issue, question, or challenge? Reach out to Dr. Scott through @ScottProfessor on X or on email [email protected]
