I don’t know why people do it, but I hate it when people waste my time.
As a consultant, the job by definition is about wasted time. Most companies hire consultants when they waste time and don’t even realize it. However, while you expect that behavior from the client we service, you don’t expect that from one of your coworkers.
I had a meeting that the company scheduled and another consultant/coworker didn’t attend the meeting. Not even an email saying something came up. Now in real life, I would never have anything to do with that flake again. However I needed the information he knew, so I entertained him and watched him make himself look even more unreliable.
As a consultant, you have to show that you value people’s time. After all, you are being paid to be useful and professional. It always makes me wonder when I assume the responsibilities of someone who isn’t responsible. What do they think they are doing? That other people have to conform to them? That what they are doing is so important that they can’t let others know if there is a problem?
This isn’t about him but about what I have seen in the business world in general. I usually wait 15 minutes and if the other person doesn’t show/communicate I have nothing to do with them ever again. Life is too short to mess around with people who aren’t serious.