Someone not show up to your scheduled meeting? Someone skip a lunch? Someone miss your scheduled call?

Think before you react. Before you go chastise someone for missing your meeting give them the benefit of the doubt. Don’t think they purposefully missed your meeting. 

Last year a had a meeting set with a prospect. I sent him a calendar invite before our meeting. He accepted it. I called him the morning before. He said he would be there. The meeting time came around and he didn’t show up. I called his office. He wasn’t in. 

I was pissed. Why would he “no show” me? We confirmed the meeting. I took all the necessary steps to make sure he would be there. He told me he would be there. He was excited. He needed the product. What could have possibly been more important? 

I failed to give him the benefit of the doubt. I called him the next week. He answered. His wife had a heart attack. He even went so far as to apologize for missing my meeting. I felt terrible. How could I be so selfish? I apologized to him, profusely.  

Remember this the next time someone misses one of your meetings. Give them the benefit of the doubt. There is most likely a good reason why they’re not there. 

Don’t let your emotions take control. Stay calm. Remember this story. Whatever the outcome may be, never call someone out of anger and accuse them of blatantly missing your meeting.

They have something more important going on.