Always strive to be early. Being late is a symptom that something is not quite right. A behavior specialist told me that those who habitually show up late struggle to keep up with what they publicly proclaim they do and they are not completely convinced that what they’re doing is what they truly want to do. If you are running late, be courteous enough to call. Let your appointment know how late you think you might be and offer to reschedule.
Avoid making a scene if you’re late. It’s bad enough to be late, but causing chaos is extremely unprofessional. Sit down quietly and wait to see how you can get in stride with the meeting. When it’s your turn to speak, apologize for being late, without an explanation.
Whether you accept it or not, we are judged by how we do or do not show up. Make each appearance count in your favor.