[December 14, 2016] One of the greatest assets of a leader is the ability to make timely and expertly-executed decisions. It follows that leaders are at their best when they are neither hasty nor act without thinking through the consequences of their actions and what they say. Many leaders have failed simply because they lack the patience to wait. I will argue that of all our traits, impatience is one of a leader’s greatest weaknesses.
“Impatience can cause wise people to do foolish things.” – Janette Oke, Writer
The story of how General Custer and his men were all killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn is well known; they were slaughtered at the hands of the Indians because of Custer’s urgency to attack them. We also know that General Robert E. Lee lost the battle when he attacked the strong Federal positions at Gettysburg. Many examples abound when we study history and see that hastily-made decisions bring unintended consequences; sometimes fatal.
We all make hasty decisions. Decisive leaders in our society are cheered and those that deliberate are seen as irresolute. Such is the burden of leadership. Yet, it is patience and wisdom that are key leader characteristics that separate our best leaders from the ordinary. Leadership means making difficult and sometimes hasty decisions but, baring an emergency, a hasty decision should not be made.
More time and deliberation means that more information can be collected. It also well known that situations and conditions change the circumstances requiring the decision. Time is on the side of the patient leader. Senior leaders in particular should take the time to consider all possible outcomes of their decision. Custer and Lee found this out the hard way.
By delaying a decision, when possible, it provides greater freedom for the leader to consider alternatives and the ability to recover from a bad decision gracefully. I once had a commander who would quickly make a decision and sign any document given to him; we thought he was wonderful. One time he signed a letter criticizing his boss and did so without thoughtfully reading it; considerable embarrassment ensued.
Lesson: Impatience is one of a leader’s greatest weaknesses or at least one of the areas we should all exercise a bit more caution.
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