In my years as a coach, I've worked with countless leaders who have incredible visions for their organizations. They're passionate, skilled communicators with an unwavering commitment to their mission. But even the most talented leaders can find themselves stuck.
One particularly memorable case involved a leader who had a clear vision but struggled to gain traction. During my 360 data gathering process, I interviewed his peers and asked about the leader's vision. The collective response was telling: "The vision is crystal clear, but we're unsure about the next steps. It's as if he's been dreaming of this his whole life, and we're just now catching up."
When I presented this feedback to the leader, his initial reaction was one of impatience: "We don't have time to wait for them to process this. The time is now!" But as we dug a little deeper, we discovered that the issue wasn't a lack of urgency from the team. Rather, it was a lack of connection between the team and the leader.
This is where the power of patience comes in.
Patience is about devoting the appropriate time and attention to others in ways that enhance meaningful interaction. It's about suspending your personal needs for satisfaction and action, slowing down fast-paced exchanges to facilitate better decision-making. Patience means not racing ahead in your thought process while missing information that others are trying to share. It's about seizing every opportunity to encourage, inspire, and motivate your team.
In leadership, patience is a critical component of building trust and creating a sense of shared ownership. When you take the time to truly listen to your team, to understand their perspectives and concerns, you create an environment where everyone feels valued and invested in the vision.
So how can you practice patience in your leadership life? Here are a few strategies:
Practice active listening: Give your full attention to the person speaking, without interrupting or mentally preparing your response.
Ask clarifying questions: Seek to understand your team's perspectives by asking open-ended questions and digging deeper into their concerns.
Reflect before responding: Take a moment to process what you've heard before reacting. This can help you respond more thoughtfully and effectively.
Communicate the "why": When sharing your vision, make sure to clearly articulate the reasoning behind it. This helps your team understand and buy into the bigger picture.
Celebrate progress: Recognize and reward your team's efforts along the way, even if the ultimate goal is still in the distance. This helps maintain motivation and momentum.
By embracing patience and taking the time to truly connect with your team, you'll create an environment of trust and shared purpose, where everyone is invested in turning the vision into reality.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. What role has patience played in your leadership journey? What strategies have you found effective for building meaningful connections with your team?