I used to think impatience was a leadership strength.
It helped me win cases as a federal trial attorney.
It also left a trail of bruised and burned-out people in my wake.
✨ “If patience wasn’t so easily tested, then it would hardly be a virtue.” Amor Towles
???? That lesson hit hard when I lost everything and went to prison.
The realization comes on day one that “You ain’t controlling nothing.”
For 5½ years, I was forced to be patient, but I also learned its value.
⚡ Now, as an executive coach, I help leaders learn the value of patience because patience isn’t passive. It’s one of the most active disciplines a leader can practice.
Leaders have their patience tested daily: waiting for a new initiative to take hold, navigating team dynamics, or guiding someone through their learning curve.
???? It’s easy to react. It’s harder to pause, reflect, and respond with clarity.
But that’s where trust is built and resilience grows.
The ways leaders can strengthen patience:
☑️ 1. Practice the pause: Count to ten before responding under pressure.
☑️ 2. Shift perspective: Ask, “What am I missing?” to turn frustration into curiosity.
☑️ 3. Set realistic expectations: Progress is rarely linear—allow space for setbacks.
☑️ 4. Celebrate small wins: Recognize incremental progress, not just big results.
Yet patience has limits. Overused, it becomes avoidance, indecision, or passivity.
The times when a leader should not be patient are:
⚡ 1. When values are compromised—integrity demands action.
⚡ 2. When safety is at risk—physical or psychological safety can’t wait.
⚡ 3. When clarity is missing—confusion thrives in delay.
⚡ 4. When performance issues persist—endless grace erodes accountability.
⚡ 5. When opportunity is fleeting—momentum waits for no one.
????️ Effective leadership lives in the balance— knowing when patience builds strength and when urgency drives progress.
I could be wrong… but I’m not.
❓ How do you balance patience and urgency when the pressure is on?