Be Impatient

Impatient leaders can be like junkies looking for a fix. They get the sweats for results. When results lag, impatience turns to exasperation.

Exasperation isn’t helpful, but sometimes impatience is.

The challenge is managing impatience.

4 Ways to be Impatient

#1. Challenge delay.

People say, “I’m waiting for…” Don’t nod and agree. Ask,

• “What can you do that doesn’t require waiting?”
• “How can you get on track while you’re waiting?”
• “Who can you nudge forward?”
• “What’s in your control?”

Projects drift. Decisions drag. Meetings replace action. Slowness becomes comfort.

Go ahead and ask,

• “What can we begin now?”
• “Can you think of a reason we can’t decide now?”
• “What’s the worst that could happen if we move forward now?”

#2. Expose avoidance.

Yesterday’s avoidance becomes today’s frustration.

• You tolerated repeated mistakes.
• You postponed a difficult conversation.
• You accepted fuzzy accountability.

Ask, “What am I avoiding?”

#3. Create clarity.

Frustration complains. Useful impatience seeks specifics.

• What matters now?
• What blocks progress?
• What needs to happen next?
• Who owns this?

Don’t complain. Define progress.

#4. Fuel creativity.

Frustration, used well, provokes new approaches. Reject, “That’s just how it is.”

• “What else could we try?”
• “What could we simplify?”
• “What haven’t we tried?”

Don’t apologize for impatience. Put it to work.

Where are you being too patient?

When Restraint Takes You Further – Leadership Freak

Understanding Impatience | Psychology Today