Patience: An underrated but strategic virtue

We live in the age of instant gratification. Our world is now designed to prioritize speed and instant results. Technology is in a constant state of evolution, with the latest gadgets designed to be faster and make you more efficient. In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of business, where quick decisions and immediate results are often the norm, the value of patience can seem elusive.  We consume information at a rapid pace and our attention span is shrinking and fragmented. The popularity of short-form content such as videos and infographic summaries has surged. We want to consume knowledge at our fingertips in bite-sized quantities so that we can move on to the next thing.

The digital realm is reshaping the way we interact with each other, the way we conduct business, the way we nourish our bodies with convenient options and the way we entertain ourselves. It has become normal to see not only adults but children having meltdowns when the WIFI password does not work. We have been conditioned to expect instant results, to prize speed and agility and place a premium on convenience.

Is patience still a virtue in modern-day society? In the realm of management, it is a powerful strategic asset that enables leaders to build strong relationships, make thoughtful decisions, and navigate challenges with resilience. It is also a strategic asset for personal growth and development. This article aims to explore the relationship between patience and career success.

Personal Development

Greatness is not achieved overnight. The slow and steady commitment to growth and learning takes perseverance and intentional effort. In his book ‘Outliers,’ Malcolm Gladwell suggests that mastery in any field requires approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. In a society driven by immediate results, the ability to practice patience has become one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. Practice makes perfect.

If one is aiming for greatness and mastery there is no shortcut. Parents and Educators can start inculcating this belief at an early age by helping children to focus on developing their talents and strengths. This will require them to exercise patience as they become incrementally better at their chosen endeavours with time. Instead of rushing to achieve their goals, patient individuals give themselves the grace to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow at a natural pace. This process of self-improvement, although slower, often results in deeper and more fulfilling achievements.

Unlocking the Power of Delayed Gratification

If children grow up to believe that they must have whatever they want as soon as the desire manifests itself then they will never truly appreciate anything. They will also grow up under the false assumption that life is easy and that everything will always go their way. This will set them up for bitter disappointment and depression over unmet expectations.

In terms of career success, the ability to resist immediate rewards over longer term more beneficial rewards will help individuals to resist shortcuts and quick wins that can later derail them. Career advancement often requires sustained effort and the ability to overcome challenges.

The Stanford marshmallow experiment was a study on delayed gratification in 1970 led by psychologist Walter Mischel, a professor at Stanford University. In this study, a child was offered a choice between one small but immediate reward (one marshmallow), or two small rewards if they waited for a period. The researchers conducted follow up studies and tracked each child’s progress in a number of areas. The children who were willing to delay gratification and waited to receive the second marshmallow ended up having higher SAT scores, lower levels of substance abuse, lower likelihood of obesity, better responses to stress, better social skills, and better scores in a range of other life measures.

Patience and Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions while empathizing with others. Patience is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence, as it allows individuals to regulate their reactions and respond thoughtfully to others, rather than acting impulsively.

When we practice patience, we are better able to control our emotions in challenging situations, which helps us communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and make better decisions. Additionally, patience allows us to be more understanding and empathetic toward others, recognizing that everyone has their own pace and challenges.

At the heart of every successful organization are its people. Strong relationships between managers and their teams form the foundation for a positive work culture. Patience allows managers to truly listen to their employees, understand their concerns, and provide guidance without rushing to conclusions. In order to achieve long-term career success, the value of patience in relationship building is critical. The better you are at dealing with people, the more successful you will become in both your professional and personal life.

Patience Builds Resilience

The world is rarely smooth sailing. Every person will encounter setbacks, whether it’s an economic downturn, a personal or professional failure or an unexpected event. Patience helps people weather these storms with resilience. Instead of reacting impulsively or giving up, patient people can maintain a steady course, adapting and learning from the situation as it unfolds.

If we teach our children that everything is easy, the sting of disappointment will be galling to them. If they have not built any reserves of resilience and confidence in themselves, it will be easy for them to throw in the towel prematurely. The world might be fast paced and ‘instant everything’ may have become the norm, but it is also a very unstable and rapidly evolving world. Challenges will come and having the patience to tackle and overcome them will make all the difference in how successful one becomes in life. Patience is still a virtue in modern day society. In fact, it may separate the winners from the losers in the long term.

Article by Shailja Sharma, SBS Faculty Member and Leadership and Career Coach