Punctuality as a generic "tell"

As g is to IQ

Those who know, know. Those who don’t know will pretend it doesn’t matter, but anyone that has researched IQ studies to a decent level will be aware that try as you might, what is called the baseline g —a letter used to denote a generic level of intelligence that is most commonly described as IQ— is essentially one of the most powerful indicators and predictors of many aspects of how a person will turn out, what their capacities intellectually are, and the most likely outcomes in a number of ways.

In keeping with my recent post on single data point pattern recognition, a person’s ability to be punctual (or increasingly, their lack of ability to do so) will tell you many things about them.

So, in succinct form, here are a few baselines assumptions you can make about anyone that is regularly incapable of being on time. Not all factors are of equal weight, and not all are necessarily present to the same degree, and in a few cases some may be entirely absent, so this is a generic formula, but in gross terms, someone regularly late to appointments is most likely to exhibit these traits (in no particular order):

• Lack of ability to organise themselves, projects, or others

• Lack of discipline, both self-imposed (which is most important) as well as that dictated by external factors, events or people

• A self-centred perspective which can range from the generic solipsism of most women ramped up a notch above their equally retained concern with social status, to absolute narcissism where they actually enjoy irritating others by being late as a way to demonstrate their own “importance”.

• A lack of general respect for others (related to but separate to the point immediately above)

All of the above can also therefore, quite logically, also mean a general sense of confusion/overwhelm or simple lack of conscientiousness, concern for others and egocentric fixation, all of which, to one degree or other are almost certainly present.

What does this mean in a wider context? How do you think a prospective employer, spouse, friend, etc will view you if you are constantly late at every appointment?

It speaks to reliability, does it not, which is somewhat related also to loyalty, commitment, and so on.

Now, I realise in the modern world such basics of manners, education, discipline, and what used to be common sense are a dying art, but that in no way means the principles outlined above have somehow become invalid. Just because people no longer can add 2 and 2, in no way invalidates math either.

And you can “argue” and present all the “excuses” and “reasons” you want, none of them invalidate the basic premises above.

None.

As the Gibbs character in the NCIS TV Series says: “If you’re not 20 minutes early, you’re late.”

Personally I always had it as 5 minutes early, and later in life as actually ON time or a minute or two early, but only because everyone else is a damned slacker. If everyone was on their game we’d all meet 5 minutes early every time.