Why Persistence Is an Important Quality For Leaders
By Gordon Tredgold
Persistence is a great quality and one that we should all look to nurture. The ability to hold on or to get back up after we have been knocked down is essential for us to achieve any real success, because there will be failures along the way and it’s how we deal with these failures that will determine the outcome of any endeavour that we undertake.
As leaders, persistence is a quality that we absolutely have to have, nobody will follow a quitter, if that is our reputation then why should people follow us. If we lack persistence they know that at the first sign of trouble we will waver and at the first failure there is a high probability that we will quit.
Not only do we need persistence but we need the ability to be able to deal with the nay sayers, who at the first sign of problem or failure will suggest that we should turn around, go back or just stop. We need to have persistence, not only to be able to drive ourselves forward, but we need enough to keep the entire team moving forward against their fears and doubts when setbacks set in.
We need to have the courage to hold the course, to keep our teams on track, to be able to show the route to success and keeps peoples confidence high.
We cannot even afford to show doubts, as doubts multiply as they pass down the chain of command, both in terms of size and also the number of people who now share that doubt.
As leaders we need to be 110% confidence of success and our persistence needs to show that, we need to be able to show that we expected small set backs, that these were part of the plan, nothing to worry about.
At times we maybe the only one who wants to continue and here our persistence needs to be impenetrable, we need to be able to just put our heads down and drive on. People will continue to follow if we make progress, they look to see what we do, and if we stop or if we show any doubt then some will start to go back and it will make out task all the more harder.
This is why persistence is important, it set the tone of how our teams and departments react when facing adversity.
S2 Tip
As leaders we need to be 110% confidence of success and our persistence needs to show that, we need to be able to show that we expected small set backs, that these were part of the plan, nothing to worry about.
Making a Difference
Congratulations to Olberte a footwear company that strives to develop a thriving middle class in Africa, by creating fair wage and sustainable jobs in the heart of Ethiopia. The successful for-profit company has harnessed the untapped potential of women in Africa, creating a safe environment for them to develop valuable skills for the workforce. The Oliberté product is eco-friendly, and the company’s business practices are ethical: Their high-quality kicks are made with all-natural crepe rubber tapped straight from trees, with 100% pure leather from free-range, hormone-free goats, sheep, and cows. Nice job!
In Another’s Words
“Ambition is the path to success, persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”
– William Eardley IV (Professional Soccer Player)