“Patience is virtue, and I’m learning. It’s a tough lesson.”

-Elon Musk

by Jim Solomon and Bruce LaRue, Ph.D.

How do you handle it when stuck in traffic? Does your mind wonder to other things you feel you should be doing when you are supposed to be listening to a subordinate? Do you struggle allowing your team to learn from missteps? What is your expectation for a response time to your email or text message? Do you bring calm during times of crisis?

Leaders must practice patience in today’s complex world to achieve optimum success. It is human nature to become impatient but learning to practice patience as a leader is a critical skill that can have a positive impact upon your team, your organization, and even your customers.

Decisions Require Patience

In today’s fast-paced world, it is often thought that leaders are compelled to make “rapid decisions” – resulting in a “fire, ready, aim” approach!  Rather, be the leader who makes “responsive decisions”, practicing patience, that provides solutions that are timely and complete.

It is far too easy to be seduced into equating activity with progress. Tactical decisions have strategic consequences. This means that we all must learn to see our actions within a broader context. Unless we recognize how our actions relate to the whole, we risk making short-term decisions that run counter to our long-term values and goals.

Glenn Llopis, who leads Glenn Llopis Group, a nationally recognized workforce development and human capital consulting firm, wisely points out, “Paradoxically, slowing things down can speed productivity. Practicing patience to achieve optimal results is an effective use of time and talent.”

A patient, “responsive decision” is one based on securing critical information, solid operational awareness, and key input from crucial stakeholders.  Not to slow or delay, but rather at a pace to achieve best possible outcomes. As Navy SEALS say, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast”. Meaning that slowing things down increases productivity and value of outcomes, but never to delay missing mission.

Veteran leadership consultant Doug Moran, appropriately points out that “Patience is a quality often lacking among today’s leaders. Society expects those in charge to take action quickly and decisively. True leaders recognize that patience enables them to take stock of the situation, to understand what is required, and wait while they build the capacity to take appropriate and effective action. Patience requires composure and character. Societal pressures for action may cause others to criticize and condemn a leader’s perceived inaction or lack of speed. People will first demand action. Then they will demand results. The greater the crisis, the greater the impatience. By demonstrating patience, leaders reinforce the importance of focusing on the long-term outcomes. Patience doesn’t mean ignoring the interim milestones or short-term deliverable. It does mean keeping them in context.”

People Expect Patience

People today are seeking leaders who take the time to listen to them – to learn about who they are and where they aspire to go in their careers. And they want their ideas regarding their work to be heard. They want leaders to patiently receive their feedback and take action as appropriate.

The most effective leaders we work with focus on defining their intent, having patience to give maximum latitude to front-line workers to best develop How they will accomplish their mission. As the leader, keep the team on course by regularly providing the compass heading, meaning that leaders set the priorities and the criteria by which they will judge a successful outcome. Employees then operate freely within appropriate left and right boundaries to create the roadmap for how to achieve the intended results.  Watch, as the patience you display, is emulated by your team both internally and externally.

Pros & Cons of Patience

According to Dan Rockwall, leader development expert, leaders must choose wisely when adopting patience as a practice.

Leading with patience can capitalize on success when “patience”:

• inspires development.
• accepts inferior performance or failure in the pursuit of improvement.
• moves one forward when faced with adversity (grit).
• allows one to see thru the lens of others, to broaden perspective, to better achieve strategic goals.

On the other hand, leaders should steer clear of “patience” that:

• drag things out, diminishing value.
• is tender but lacks toughness.
• lacks aspiration, promoting weakness.

Benefits of Leading with Patience

Leaders with patience tend to focus on long-term goals, develop rational choices, and foster enduring relationships. They are sought after to serve in key positions. They are respected by their team. They are valued by their customers.

As a leader, set a personal development goal to improve your patience by practicing it often. Ask for feedback from others at work and home to measure your success. As Elon Musk has said, “It’s a tough lesson” – but when mastered, patience will set you ahead of the pack.

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