Commentary: On Patience in Leadership

Abstract

If you look at the characteristics of some of the world’s greatest leaders, you may notice what I did: purpose, approachability, tolerance, independence, empathy, nurturing nature, confidence, and endurance. It’s not a coincidence that these words make up the acronym patience. It’s also not a coincidence that these traits are found more in female leaders than male leaders. In fact, one study by Zenger Folkman, reported in Business Insider, concluded that women are more effective leaders than men.2 Part of the reason is that they had to work harder for longer periods of time — in other words, they were patient out of necessity!