Patience is not a simple virtue to come by; it’s a skill that must be diligently and consciously worked on every day. In today’s day and age, we are used to the constant hustle and bustle of life, never taking a second to breathe. However, learning to be patient is well worth the challenge as it not only benefits you in everyday life, but significantly in the workplace as well.
Why is Patience Important in the Workplace?
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 are in control of the reactions that occur when each button is pushed. The people you are surrounded by, though, are not always going to be your crowd by choice, especially in the workplace.
Patience requires managing tough situations in a confident and effective manner. Like the old saying goes, there is no “I” in “TEAM”. You need to learn how to work in a patient and understanding manner amongst the people you work with on a daily basis, especially those on your direct team.
Patience is a huge contributing factor to achievement and creating a trusting bond. There is always that one teammate who refuses to go by the rules and suggestions of everyone else, getting frustrated when things don’t go their way. Imagine how much more fluidly tasks would get completed if every single person was patient and trusting in what their coworkers had to say.
Although it’s not obvious, patience in the workplace is a great distinction between proficient and inefficient employees. The worker who gets aggravated in the process of completing a task easily comes across as a quitter, someone who gives up easily on a challenging task. Odds are they won’t be successful or last very long in their position if they can’t prove that they can work through unexpected situations with a calm and positive outlook to get the job done.
How Leaders Develop Patience in the Workplace
When you find yourself beginning to feel short fused and impatient when dealing with certain work situations, use it as an opportunity to develop patience. Take a step back and admire the situation from the outside looking in. The workplace is intense these days and organizations are constantly on the mend to find the best way to operate effectively. A great leader has great patience. The first step in creating a great organization is creating a culture which starts from the bottom of the triangle: the employees.
See through the eyes of others.
Contrary to what may be popular belief, the world doesn’t actually revolve around you. Be objective enough to step back and remove any personal opinions that might arise in the heat of a workplace conflict. Take a look at the bigger picture and attempt to understand the root of the problem . Be strong enough to not crack under pressure and lose your cool, but be wise enough to hold yourself accountable for something that you may be at fault for.
Listen and question with a positive attitude.
Practicing patience requires active and attentive listening and putting your frustration aside to help solve a problem that you may or may not be directly related to. Showing someone that you respect what they have to say is the biggest compliment you can give. Don’t be in a hurry to get everything done as quickly as possible and show that you respect the problem at hand.
Don’t run away from personal responsibility.
We naturally get impatient with people who don’t listen, don’t take direction well, and constantly make excuses. 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 have to say may involve something you are responsible for and it is important you stay accountable.
Seek perspective from a trusted resource.
Before you are ready to throw in the towel and have had it up to your head with aggravation, remind yourself of the end goal and seek out guidance from someone you trust. This trusted resource could help find a valuable solution and provide you with a much-needed change in perspective. It will ease your nerves and decrease stress.
Remain unbiased.
Taking sides is a killer of camaraderie and trust. How employees are managed may revel tension points and causes of an ongoing problem. You must be extremely 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 that others add to the organization.
How Increased Patience Increases Success
Patience is not something we all have; it’s something we must actively do. It’s like creating a habit, the more often we practice something, the more likely it becomes second nature to our daily actions. Patience is a virtue, and a virtue that can greatly increase success.
Smart Decision-Making
Patience helps us avoid situations that can potentially cloud our judgment. By remaining in the moment, we are able to make better and more well thought out decisions. A sharp business plan and great talent isn’t enough when it comes to beating out competition.
Builds Reputation
Achieving goals is crucial to personal and organizational success. Developing patience allows us to reach goals consistently. When we consistently and constantly reach goals, we are building a reputation for ourselves, which is more likely to spread a positive word about the business we conduct.
Positive Team Culture
Most importantly, being patient leads to a positive team culture. If business culture is flourishing, so will all other elements for success in the organization. Being patient means treating others with a sense of decency to increase the possibility of reciprocation.
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