Miyamoto Musashi, one of the greatest samurai swordsmen of feudal Japan, used a secret strategy that helped him win nearly all of his 60 major battles. Was it the type of sword he used? No, it wasn’t. He actually clobbered his toughest opponent using a boat oar. Then it had to be his superior strength and size, right? Nope. Musashi was of average size and build. His secret was time, and he used it wisely by always showing up late for a fight.
Musashi’s strategy was to frustrate his opponents by being unfashionably late, perhaps two hours late at times. This drove his opponents into a wild frenzy, much to Musashi’s benefit. A frustrated opponent doesn’t do as well as one who remains calm in battle.
That’s why it’s important to strive at being punctual as a flight instructor. Being late for an appointment when you have the choice to be on time can diminish your student’s potential to learn by frustrating him or her. If you’re occasionally late, then it’s certainly a forgivable event. If it happens regularly, then it says that you don’t think your student’s time is worth as much as yours. It indicates a lack of respect for your student. That’s not a good message for any instructor to send.
Granted, it’s sometimes difficult to be as punctual when you’re making long cross-country flights or conducting certain types of flight training. On those rare occasions (hopefully they’re rare) when your punctuality can’t be predictable, ask your student if you can meet anytime during a 15-minute window. If your student agrees, you’ve reduced your chance of being late while also reducing the chance that your student becomes frustrated waiting for your arrival.
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