Practice Patience

“Patience is power.  Patience is not an absence of action; rather, it is “timing.”  It waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.”

• Fulton J. Sheen

Patience

Workplace Insight describes patience as the ability to ask questions, wait for answers, consult with others, and go with the flow.  Instead of creating urgency where there is none, the patient person sits back and observes while thoughtfully considering a situation from multiple perspectives.

Unfortunately, not everyone you meet is going to be your cup of tea.  People who bother you are likely to be the ones who push your buttons in every way they know how.  At the end of the day, only you control the reactions that occur when each button is pressed.

And that control is called patience.

Why Be Patient

The people you are surrounded by will not always be your crowd by choice, especially in the workplace.  And in those environments, there will be many opportunities to exercise patience.

The practice of patience has many benefits.

First, patient people enjoy better mental health.  Patient people tend to experience less depression and negative emotions, perhaps because they can cope better with upsetting or stressful situations.  They also rate themselves as more mindful and feel more gratitude, more connection to mankind and to the universe, and a greater sense of abundance.

Second, patient people are better friends and neighbors.  Research suggests that patient people tend to be more cooperative, empathic, equitable, and forgiving.

Third, patience helps us achieve our goals.  The road to achievement is long, and those without patience—who want to see results immediately—may not be willing to walk it.

Finally, patience is linked to good health.  A 2007 study found that patient people were less likely to report health problems like headaches, acne flair-ups, ulcers, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Patience At Work

Empirical studies on patience have demonstrated the positive effects it can have on creativity, product quality, collaboration, and productivity, as well as the long-term sustainability of companies.

Being patient means listening, observing, waiting for information, consulting other people, and seeking relationships that provide new resources to make good decisions.  Patience is good for ourselves and others.

How to Be Patient

Great business leaders have great patience.

The first step in creating a great organization is creating a culture that starts with how the employees are treated.

See through the eyes of others. – Be objective enough to step back and remove any personal opinions that might arise during a workplace conflict.  Look at the bigger picture and attempt to understand the root of the problem.

Listen and question with a positive attitude. – Showing someone you respect what they say is the biggest compliment you can give.  Don’t be in a hurry to get everything done as quickly as possible.

Don’t run away from personal responsibility. – With disregard to the fact that the same person may always make things difficult, remember to take them seriously at the same time.  What they say may involve something you are responsible for, and you must stay accountable.

Seek perspective from a trusted resource. – This trusted resource could help you find a valuable solution and provide you with a much-needed change in perspective.

Remain unbiased. – You must be extraordinarily open-minded and patient to use a situation as an opportunity for growth and development.  Taking sides will only hinder your view of others and inhibit you from seeing the value others add to the organization.

The Bible

When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate.

The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated—when another car cuts us off in traffic, when we are treated unfairly, or when our coworker derides our faith.  Unfortunately, in today’s culture, many people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials, regardless of how small or incidental.

The Bible praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22 says,

            But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1 Thessalonians 5:14 says,

           And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs must practice patience if they want a chance at success.  Leaders who use patience will stand out in a world that sees little value in patience, and God will help in urging, directing, and cultivating that patience.