Patience in Action
How leaders can develop patience
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In my work with leaders, I often encounter individuals who are deeply committed to their goals, driven by a clear vision of success, and determined to make a lasting impact. These leaders are often admired for their ability to inspire action, push through obstacles, and achieve remarkable results. Yet, one of the most common challenges they face is a lack of patience - which I wrote about last week.
The Impatient Leader
This lack of patience is understandable. In a fast-paced, results-oriented world, patience can often feel like a luxury you cannot afford. Leaders are expected to deliver results quickly, adapt to changes instantly, and keep their teams moving forward at all times. However, without patience, even the most talented leaders can find themselves overwhelmed, making hasty decisions, or alienating those around them.
Patience is not only a virtue; it is a critical leadership skill.
The ability to pause, reflect, and allow time for things to unfold naturally can be the difference between success and failure, especially in complex, high-stakes environments. Building patience doesn’t mean losing your edge or slowing down your progress. Instead, it means becoming more strategic, thoughtful, and resilient.
As a leader, your patience - or lack thereof - sets the tone for your entire organisation. If you can model patience, you’ll create a culture where people feel respected, valued, and empowered to do their best work. This doesn’t mean lowering standards or accepting mediocrity.
Rather, it means recognising that great things take time and that by being patient, you’re allowing for the depth, quality, and creativity that can lead to extraordinary results.
To cultivate patience, it's essential to understand that not all patience is the same. There are three distinct types, each playing a vital role in effective leadership:
Interpersonal Patience: This type of patience is about managing your interactions with others. It involves understanding that everyone has their own pace, strengths, and ways of working. Leaders who practice interpersonal patience are better at building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating a supportive team environment. They know that pushing too hard or too fast can backfire, leading to resistance or burnout.
Situational Patience: Situational patience is about accepting that not everything will go according to plan. Whether it's a project delay, an unexpected challenge, or a shift in market conditions, situational patience helps leaders stay calm and composed in the face of adversity. This patience allows for thoughtful decision-making, as leaders take the time to gather all the necessary information and consider the long-term implications of their actions.
Self-Patience: Perhaps the most challenging form of patience for driven leaders is self-patience. This involves being patient with yourself, recognizing that growth and progress take time, and that mistakes are a natural part of the journey. Leaders who cultivate self-patience are less likely to succumb to self-criticism or burnout. They understand that leadership is a marathon, not a sprint, and they allow themselves the space to grow and evolve at a sustainable pace.
In leadership, patience is a powerful tool. It allows you to build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and maintain your composure under pressure.
Interpersonal Patience strengthens your team. By being patient with your colleagues and direct reports, you create an environment where people feel valued, understood, and motivated to contribute their best. This patience develops a culture of collaboration and innovation, as team members feel safe to share ideas and take risks.
Situational Patience enhances your strategic thinking. When you allow yourself the time to fully assess a situation, you’re more likely to identify potential pitfalls, consider alternative approaches, and make decisions that are aligned with your long-term goals. This patience also helps you navigate uncertainty with confidence, knowing that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Self-Patience sustains your leadership journey. By being patient with yourself, you build resilience. You’re better equipped to handle setbacks, learn from your experiences, and keep moving forward without burning out. This patience also allows you to lead by example, showing your team that it's okay to take time to reflect, learn, and grow.
The challenge is that for naturally fast-paced leaders, operating in a fast-paced world, developing patience is a continuous process that requires intention and practice.
Mark, the COO I mentioned in last weeks post, is learning this firsthand. As he experiments with mindfulness and breathing techniques, he’s beginning to see the benefits of patience not only in his own well-being but also in his team’s performance. He’s learning to trust the process, give his colleagues the time they need to align with his vision, and approach challenges with a calm, measured mindset.
Building patience as a leader is about balancing urgency with thoughtfulness, action with reflection, and ambition with empathy. It’s about recognising that while speed can bring quick wins, patience brings lasting success.
Patience is not about waiting passively; it’s about being deliberate, thoughtful, and strategic in your actions. The questions below will get you started:
Reflect: Setting realistic expectations for yourself and your team is key to maintaining patience, especially when progress is slower than anticipated.
What expectations do you have for yourself and your team, and are they realistic?
What could you do differently when progress doesn’t happen as quickly as you’d like?
What would adjusting your expectations do for your team’s motivation and stress levels?
Empathise: Empathy is essential for building patience and fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment.
What actions can you take to better understand and empathize with your team?
What might change if you demonstrated more empathy toward others’ challenges?
What role could empathy play in building a more collaborative team environment?
Focus: Keeping a long-term perspective can help you manage short-term frustrations and maintain patience in leadership.
What steps can you take to stay connected to the bigger picture during challenges?
What impact does focusing on immediate outcomes have on your patience?
What can you do to encourage a long-term perspective within your team?
Add: Incorporating mindfulness into your routine can help you create the necessary pause before reacting, leading to more thoughtful leadership.
What mindfulness techniques have helped you create space before reacting?
What small steps can you take to include mindfulness in your daily routine?
What difference could regular mindfulness practices make in your leadership?
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