LEADERSHIP TRAIT – PATIENCE Patience is one of the core traits which a leader must have. It is sum total of many traits viz Calmness, Composure, Confidence, Cool, Energy, Enthusiasm, Even Temper, Faith, Forbearance, Hope, Restraint, Tolerance, Constancy, Diligence, Endurance, Fortitude, Long Suffering, Perseverance, Persistence, Steadfastness, Understanding, Will, etc. It Prohibits Agitation, Exasperation, Excitement, Haste, Impatience, Irritation, Nervousness, Restlessness, Vacillation, etc. Leaders are always under pressure from their led / followers. Each one of led / followers or stake holders will have different views over different situations and will not be afraid to speak their minds most of the time. Patience helps leader: 1. To maintain focus even when faced with the most difficult challenges. 2. To understand other people’s feelings 3. How to approach different situations. 4. To suspend judgment long enough to make considered decisions 5. To be better Listeners 6. To manage stress 7. Learn to value the questions as much as the answers 8. Know the “impatient” triggers and practice managing them 9. Keep the long-term goal in mind. Patience is an aspect of ‘Courage’ which, in turn is supported and nourished by ‘Professional Competence’ of the highest order. Professional Competence and Moral Courage combine together to prevent a leader from taking hasty actions. They assist him in conducting himself in a cool, calculated, deliberate and thoughtful manner. In serious crises situation, hasty actions, devoid of sound appreciation, assessment, without taking into stock the pro cons of actions and logic, can bring forth dire consequences. Patience should however be distinguished from inactivity or lack of aggressiveness. It is, in fact, a means of enabling a leader to fulfil the mission assigned in a sure manner. Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience. A leader while ‘patiently waiting for right moment - plan innovatively, sharply, and smartly to give surprise’ to the contestant, competitor or enemy. You can learn to be patient by: • Taking your time • Thinking before you act • Living in the moment • Eliminating stressful situations Therefore, Patience is the ‘capacity’ to face difficult situations, hardships or inconvenience without making a single complaint. It is the ‘ability to wait calmly’ for something to happen without complaining or giving up or getting angry. A good leader must show Patience while waiting for expected results, facing difficult situations and taking important decisions. He must avoid taking hasty decisions and actions. But plan like a silent ‘livewire’. There is an anonymous saying,’ Do not disturb the enemy while he is making mistake and ‘wait patiently’, watching for the opportunity to pounce on him with full striking / lightening force, with all resources, to annihilate him’.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 07:01:46 +0000
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