The Patiently Intense Leader
The best leaders are self-aware. They know their strengths and they know their weaknesses. This is a topic that I have written about several times. Coaching executives across various industries, geographies and company sizes provides insights into the commonalities and differences in style and approach that work best in different settings. At the same time, I am always looking for correlative behaviors that separate the most successful leaders from the rest. I mentioned self-awareness as my biggest finding as a determinant of leadership success.
In my recent work with pre-IPO CEOs I have found another correlative success factor. I refer to it as the ability to be patiently intense. Patience and intensity almost seem like opposites making the term a bit of an oxymoron, but the two competencies actually create balance that lead to leadership success. Let’s explore the definitions of these two words and then understand how they combine to make for a leadership success factor.
Patient: 1. steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity. 2. bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
Intense: 1. marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration 2. having or showing a characteristic in extreme degree
according to https://www.merriam-webster.com/
In definition, it is clear that there is overlap between the two terms. Both focus on staying the course and persevering despite opposition or adversity. They actually do go hand in hand. In order to succeed, a leader must have the grit and determination to fend off naysayers, deal with adversity and power through. Intensity in the form of sustained effort is required to launch a company or to scale a new solution. Another word that comes to mind is stamina. Intensity over the long haul translates into stamina. Being intense is not enough. I have seen many intense leaders fail especially if they are trying to drive change in larger more established organizations. This is where patience comes in. Being able to calmly and deliberately address opposition and often to slow the pace of decision making is equally important. It is the combination of patience and intensity that make for successful leaders.
Intensity over the long haul translates into stamina.
When introducing a disruptive solution to the market, the desire to go fast can sometimes derail ambition. Understanding the importance of being deliberate, calculating and patient is a critical skill. Being patient doesn’t mean going slowly. It means going at the appropriate pace and recognizing how to alter pace to bring the team, investors, customers and other constituents along.
How does being patiently intense map to your leadership style? Are you able to balance these two characteristics? How does this fit with the culture of your organization? If you are a founder or CEO, you have the ability of setting the tone for your organization.
A Suggestion:
During your next team meeting, ask the question, “Are we patiently intense as a team?” This question will prompt a healthy discussion about the culture of your team and the approaches of the individuals on the team.
