The old proverb, attributed to Louis XVIII, states that “Punctuality is the politeness of princes.” Arriving on time is polite. Not early. Not late.
In the military, we often say that if you’re five minutes early, you are on time. If you’re on time, then you are late.
Leaders are different though. Leaders must show up on time.
In my first command, I was in the habit of arriving first. The habit was a hold-over from when I was the Executive Officer (second command, in the Navy). After a few weeks, the Command LCPO — the senior enlisted — pulled me aside and said, “Stop this, ma’am. We start our day when you arrive. When you show up early, we have to show up even earlier. We have to be here when you arrive, and stay until you leave. You are wearing out the team.”
As a leader, your actions always have a direct impact on your team. When you send emails on the weekend, your team feels the need to answer them. You are sending more than just the message. You are sending the meta-message that successful people in your organization work weekends.
When you answer emails or join phone calls while on vacation, you send the message that vacations are not really time off. You might also be sending the message that you do not trust your team to act in your absence.
Are you taking time off? Are you sending the messages that you intend to send?