Jesus 2020 - Patience
Jesus is not only a spiritual figure but also a great example of a leader charging forward with a vision and building an enduring institution. (i.e. church) His presence on earth has literally defined time: BC & AD. Jesus is the epitome of an effective executive. There are numerous lessons to learn from Jesus and I’m going to take some time to reflect on what lesson resonates most to me at this chapter in my life as a new father, second chair leader, and a 31 year old dude amidst a pandemic.
As an aspiring effective executive, Jesus's ability to institutionalize a vision is a tremendous journey to reflect upon and learn from his approach. This year the most relevant lesson from Jesus was his mastery of PATIENCE.
At a young age, Jesus was extraordinarily patient with his disciples and in his mission work. His timing was perfect. He never rushed his mission work. He never gave up on his disciples when their faith waivered in the mission. Jesus allowed the slow drip of his miracles to permeate and be a symbol of hope. Jesus had the patience for his stories and his good works to be absorbed by his disciples so they could continue to carry on the vision even when he was not physically present. A typical ambitious 30 something looking to change the world would burn the candle at both ends looking to fix as much as possible and as fast as possible. Never losing a moment to spare. A typical 30 something with such abilities would not have the patience to accept a teammate waivering in faith like Peter did in the storm.
Imagine having unlimited abilities and insights... yet taking it slow?
There’s significant wisdom to infuse patience into one’s leadership style.
A couple secular examples:
The military has a saying: "Go slow to go fast"
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard of HP often reminded ambitious entrepreneurs: “Don’t grow too fast. You need to grow slow enough to develop good management.”
I’m going into my last 12 months as the second chair leader before taking on the first chair role in the family business. 2020 has been a year of seeking to be patient. Learning to take the long view. Learning to take my ego out of the equation. During this process of becoming the first chair leader I am so eager to “fix” and “help.” I have opinions on how the company should operate and actions the company “needs” to take for the future.
Patience is an extraordinary asset for young, aspiring executives. Every time I ask for patience, I’m given opportunities to practice patience. Patience allows for relations to prevail over being right. Patience alleviates ego. Patience is an essential ingredient to building a great, enduring company.
Succession involves the development and growth of the aspiring executive while also balancing the needs and sense of loss from the outgoing executive. When the outgoing executive has not fully accepted his departure or is not well diversified in life to be able to step away it requires the upcoming executive to practice patience daily. I’m in a position on a daily basis to exercise patience and allow the culture and systems of 20+ Years to continue. I do not need to “fix” everything. I do not need to infuse my ego into the culture and systems.
Jesus saw brokenness everywhere in the culture and systems of society. He exercised patience in his approach. He did not make it all about him. He strategically picked his moments and sought to foster the development of his team and bend the culture rather than snap it into alignment.
Patience is a rare commodity and a muscle for any 31 year old to cultivate. Taking the long view and holding above everything else in a family business are relations. I want to be able to look back on the years of the succession as a time I did not allow my ego to dictate actions.
Jesus had a heck of a lot of patience.