Patience and Leadership in Our Current World
Patience is more than a virtue. It is an art. And like all other art forms, it takes practice, and a willingness to allow it to adapt as our lives and circumstances change to reap the benefits. As a leader, you are likely familiar with the importance of patience with your employees, colleagues, and resources. However, given the current state of our world, your patience is likely being tested in unexpected ways. And your patience is more vital than ever before to the productivity and well-being of your team.
What is patience?
Patience can be understood as taking the time to ask pertinent questions,
waiting for answers, and going with the flow. Patience helps you resist the urge and tendency to create urgency when there is actually none, which allows space and time for creativity, insight, and prudent judgment. Outwardly, we recognize patience by a person's calm demeanor and a realistically optimistic attitude. Patient leaders tend to focus on the present moment and have the invaluable ability to spread their calm to others.
What causes impatience?
Many people are surprised to learn that impatience is not a lack of patience. Impatience occurs when we have a specific goal in mind, and we realize that the cost of achieving it is higher in some sense, be it time, money, energy, etc., than we initially thought. With that in mind, if you've found (or continue to find) yourself struggling with your patience, it is entirely normal. The physical and emotional cost of getting anything done lately has climbed astronomically in and out of our virtual workplaces.
For example, let’s say that you are trying to log on to a virtual meeting, and your technology suddenly and unexpectedly becomes uncooperative. Your goal to be on time for your meeting will cost you more time and energy than you expected, possibly leading to a host of other unexpected problems.
In the world before quarantine, you could probably request assistance with your equipment. Now, however, you are your own IT department. So not only is this hypothetical yet increasingly common problem new for you, solving it is going to require more from you than ever before. It is no wonder why many leaders find their patience stretched thin these days.
Improving your patience
Impatience is insidious because the adverse effects can spill into other aspects of our lives, impacting our relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members. However, the good news is that the art of patience can be cultivated.
Self-awareness is a foundational aspect of improving your patience. The more self-aware you are, the easier you will recognize the physical warning signs of impatience, such as quickened pulse and growing irritation. You will also be able to counteract your physical reactions by way of mindfulness, deep breathing, or another practice that you’ve developed.
You can also take a proactive approach to work on your patience by mindfully adjusting unhelpful behaviors and destructive thought patterns by:
Accepting what you can control and letting the rest go.
Adjusting your expectations of yourself and your employees and strive for realistic goals.
Being kinder to yourself and others.
Striving for balance and positivity.
Pursuing a practice or hobby that encourages self-reflection.
Prioritizing your work duties to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Patience and Leadership
The positive impact of patience in leadership cannot be overstated. This has never been truer than in our current climate. Leaders who demonstrate patience to their teams build trust and confidence, which are two scarce commodities amid so much uncertainty about everything from our jobs to our nation.
As a leader, you set the tone. And although there is no playbook for the year we just had, or the year we have only recently begun, you are still empowered to lead with patience, and above all, compassion. The road ahead may be unknown. But, the way you lead will have a lasting impact on your career and your team.
Could you use a hand in improving your patience? Contact us today!