Patient Urgency

What may sound like a contradiction is actually a refined skill. In business, and for leaders of all types, there needs to be a constant sense of urgency. Without urgency, complacency can creep in and progress can slow. However, that urgency cannot create a hostile, tension-filled environment at all hours of the day. Nor can a leader expect overnight results.

We can control the moment. We can strive to improve in the moment. That is what establishes the building blocks for future achievement.

We must push the pace and the boundaries for our organizations, our team, and ourselves. That requires a constant sense of urgency — recognizing that someone else is likely working toward similar goals, trying to better you and beat you, and working hard as well. Yet we must also remain patient, understanding that meaningful progress and truly great achievements take time.

I strive to maintain a consistent edge and uptempo rhythm in all that I do — but I also don’t expect Rome to be built in a day. It took me time to strike the balance of being patiently urgent. Once I honed that mindset and skill, it has served all of Anthem well.

By Chris Sinclair
Founder, The Anthem Group