Be patient, young leaders…you can’t rush Father Time

Emerging Leaders, be patient – your time will come, so don’t be misled that you’re ready to assume the role of CEO. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of reality by the speed and evolution of technology…tools that you may have figured out how to use more effectively, but keep in mind that they were invited by older generations.

The Wisdom of Time

Technology may allow us to do things faster and more efficiently, but it doesn’t speed up time. It may have revolutionized the way we work and live, but it doesn’t give us the wisdom and experience that life requires when navigating the uncharted waters you will face.

Experiences, both positive and negative, will shape you into the leaders you admire and strive to become. We often learn the most from our failures, our falls, and the challenges we face. These moments of adversity build resilience and provide invaluable insights that can only be gained from staring down the wolf.

No matter how much knowledge we acquire from books or classrooms, there is no substitute for living and surviving this moment. The stresses and pressures of feeling your heart beat THROUGH your chest, making decisions that have immediate and irreversible consequences…these are the valuable lessons that simply cannot be replicated in a controlled learning environment. It’s in that intense, eye-to-eye moment with the wolf that we truly grow and learn about ourselves and our abilities.

The Benefit of Experience

In pursuit of leadership, we have to recognize that there’s no shortcut or replacement for the experiences gained through real-life confrontations. Think about it in terms of parenting – there’s a lot more than theoretical knowledge that’s required.

To be the most effective parent you can be requires the full experience – you can’t go from parenting an infant to parenting a teenager in two years. It demands the willingness to navigate the messy, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable moments of confrontation, understanding, and growth. No book or class can fully prepare us for these intimate and personal experiences. You can’t glean this from a book…so soak them in and grow.

BUT, when your chance arrives, remember that you were in those shoes once, too. Remember to take the time to mentor and guide the next generation, sharing your experiences and wisdom, and helping them gain the insight that only time and intentionality taught you.

In the meantime, embrace the journey, the falls, and the successes. Trust in Father Time to shape the wisdom that you will want and need as a young leader. Great leaders are not born; they are shaped like swords with fire, perseverance, and sweat, and then the blade is sharpened and polished. It takes time, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment.

Until next time, keep growing, keep learning, and keep leading!