How to respond when someone says “it’s only 5 minutes” like a leader, not a manager

November 2, 2026

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The Thought

Did you know… small habits can become big problems when they keep happening.

Five minutes may not seem like much.

But when someone is consistently late, the issue becomes bigger than the clock.

Leaders don't argue about five minutes.

They address the pattern and help people understand the impact.

Quote:
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent van Gogh

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The Tip

Remember to…

1. Don't argue about the five minutes

A manager says:

“Five minutes is still late.”

A leader says:

“You're right. Five minutes may not feel like a big deal. What I want to talk about is the pattern.”

Then ask:

How often do you think this has happened lately?
What do you think the team experiences when you're consistently late?

Think about a drop of water.

One drop isn't a flood.

But enough drops in the same place can quickly become a problem.

Don't get stuck debating five minutes.

Address what's happening repeatedly.

2. Make the impact real

A manager says:

“You need to be on time. Period.”

A leader says:

“When you're late, someone else is waiting, covering, or starting without you. That's the part I want you to see.”

Then ask:

Who is affected when you're not here on time?
What happens if everyone treats five minutes the same way?

People are more likely to change when they understand the impact, not just the rule.

Small habits can become bigger team problems when they're consistently overlooked.

Help them see what their behavior is creating for everyone else.

3. Get a clear commitment

A manager says:

“Just don't let it happen again.”

A leader says:

“What needs to change so we can count on you to be on time moving forward?”

Then ask:

What are you going to do differently?
What can we count on from you starting tomorrow?

Don't end the conversation with another warning.

End it with ownership and a clear commitment.

Being five minutes late isn't just about the clock.

It's about whether the people who rely on you can count on you.

Managers argue about the five minutes.

Leaders address the pattern, make the impact clear, and build real commitment.

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The Tool

Short Video: Learn how leaders respond to “It's only five minutes” without getting caught up in an argument about being late.

See how to address repeated behavior, make the impact visible, and turn the conversation into ownership and accountability.

Watch the viral video on TikTok

Watch this video & read the post on LinkedIn

Watch this video on Instagram

Watch this video on Facebook

Or watch other CLA videos here on YouTube

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Leadership Question of the week…

Here is the top question this week from our 200+ Leadership Questions (part of our Complete Leader Package. Don’t have these? Get instant access here.

❓ How do I hold myself accountable to the goals I set?
❓ When have I fallen short, and what did I learn from it?
❓ How can I take ownership and make stronger commitments as a leader moving forward?

___________________________

Activity of the week…

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Thank you for leading and lifting others out there!

-Dwight

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