By: Undre Griggs, Jr.
Patience will allow an effective leader the foresight to stay composed and collected through any situation. A patient leader will endure through the difficult times and they will motivate their team to do so as well. Those who lack patience frequently change their plans whenever something unexpected happens. Patience and longsuffering are the sign of a leader that keeps their word and will do everything they can to see the mission to its end.
Psalm 37:7-9 (ESV): Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
As a result, patient leaders will be reliable; making them easy for the team and organization to believe in them. Imagine if we were a college athlete who had the opportunity to attend any university we desired. Many things may factor into this decision; proximity to home, school ranking, and whether the degree we were seeking was being offered to name a few. We would also likely want to meet the coach, his staff, and ask them how they intended to utilize us on the team. If we have the option to choose between a coach who has coached five teams over the past five years or a coach who has coached the same team for a decade; we are going to choose the more reliable and patient coach.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
A patient leader creates hope for their people. When we know our leader is there through thick and thin, it is one less thing we have to worry about. When the waves rise and the winds howl, everyone looks to the captain for composure and guidance. It is easy for the captain to be patient when things are going good, but it is essential for a captain to be patient when turmoil arises.
Romans 12:12 (ESV): Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
In any organization, mistakes will happen and issues will arise. A leader must be patient with his or her team if they expect their team to be patient with them and each other. Patience creates an environment where people are more focused on the solution than they are on who is to blame. A patient environment will understand loyalty to each other is the recipe of success. We are not talking about loyalty in the sense that everyone agrees with everything everyone says. We are talking about loyalty in the sense that we are patient with those we provide and receive constructive criticism from. With this understanding, let us be patient with each other as we grow and learn together.
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