“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” muttered the White Rabbit. If we aren’t careful, being a leader can push us to the overly anxious, always in a hurry, White Rabbit brink:
- Too much to do.
- Not enough time.
- Balls in the air.
- Uncertainty.
- Ambiguity.
- Complexity.
- Decisions.
- Deadlines.
- And the worst?
Staff. Yes, the people problems! Here are some signs that you may not be leading patiently enough: (I didn’t make these up, clients have said these things to me and I’ve thought my fair share of them too). You say to yourself:
- I don’t have time for this.
- It’s easier to do it myself.
- I’ll do it better anyway.
Or you’re thinking:
- They just don’t get it.
- Why don’t they just do what I tell them?
- Another mess I have to clean up.
- I don’t know if I can stand this.
- Didn’t we go over that yesterday?
- I don’t want to hear another excuse.
- Did I make a hiring mistake?
- They’re getting paid too much.
- How could they not know that?
- Do I have to spell out every little detail?
- Do I really have to explain that again?
And then you might wonder:
- Why don’t people like me?
- Why won’t they tell me anything?
- Why aren’t they more engaged?
- Don’t they trust me?
- Do they think I’m a tyrant?
- Am I a terrible boss?
Maybe. More likely it would help to work on getting a little bit more good old-fashioned patience.
- Yes, that means slowing down and taking even more precious time with your staff.
- Yes, that means containing your frustration and developing more empathy for them.
- Yes, that means taking them by the hand and helping them with whatever their issue is—at their pace.
When you do you give them the best chance of learning, developing and being their best. Of developing mastery. A leader can’t ask for more than that. That’s why it’s worth the effort.
So next time you’re feeling frustrated and anxious and have to deal with a pesky people problem, take a deep breath, do your doorway moment thing, and patiently lead. After a while, they won’t feel pesky at all! And you’ll be a more masterful leader.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
