Leadership Lookout

Years ago one of the consultants I most admire, Steve Buchholz, author of Creating the High Performance Team, introduced the concept of “patient urgency” as an attitude that would benefit high performing teams. He taught that teams must convey a sense of urgency and yet be patient as well so as not to prematurely derail an effort that might necessitate more time, understanding, or ripening.

Steve was ahead of the curve. In John P. Kotter’s 2008 book, A Sense of Urgency, he introduces the difference between the real constructive, true urgency, and the “frantic wheel-spinning that is so often mistaken for urgency.” And there on page 117, under the heading “urgent patience,” we encounter Steve’s concept. Major change and large accomplishments can take time so Steve and Kotter recommend that we keep our sense of urgency within a realistic view of time.

As we think about our projects we should be on the lookout for projects that would benefit from more patience and those that would benefit from more true urgency.

Filed under: Book, Recommended