The Power of "Not Yet": Why Waiting Can Be the Wisest Leadership Move
You've built a career on decisiveness. You're known for your quick thinking and strategic acumen. Yet, in today's fast-paced world, a powerful leadership skill can be surprisingly overlooked: the wisdom of waiting.
It's not about indecisiveness or paralysis. It's about embracing the power of "not yet." This principle acknowledges that sometimes, the most effective decision is to delay, gather more information, and ensure you're setting your team up for success.
Inaction as a Choice
While action oftentimes feels like the solution, sometimes inaction is the wiser choice. Here's why experienced leaders should consider the power of "not yet":
Avoiding Rushed Decisions
The pressure to act quickly can lead to rash choices with unintended consequences. "Not yet" allows for a more measured approach, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
Gathering Crucial Information
The initial picture is rarely the whole story. Taking the time to gather data, assess potential risks, and explore alternative solutions can lead to a more informed and effective decision.
Building Consensus
Rushing into decisions can alienate your team. "Not yet" creates space for open dialogue, allowing you to consider different perspectives and build consensus for a stronger outcome.
Identifying Better Opportunities
Sometimes, waiting reveals a better path entirely. A competitor's misstep, a market shift, or an unexpected breakthrough can completely alter the landscape. "Not yet" ensures you're making decisions with the most up-to-date information.
How to Embrace the Power of "Not Yet" in Your Leadership
Making the wise decision to wait in your leadership starts with the following steps.
Normalize the "Maybe Later" Conversation
Openly discuss the possibility of delaying decisions. Explain the rationale behind "not yet" and involve your team in the information gathering process.
Set Clear Parameters
Don't leave your team in limbo. Define a timeframe for re-evaluating the decision and establish clear criteria for moving forward.
Focus on Continuous Learning
Use the waiting period to gather information, conduct research, and explore different options. This proactive approach maximizes the value of the "not yet" phase.
Communicate Effectively
Keep your team informed throughout the process. Transparency builds trust and fosters a sense of shared purpose.
Remember, waiting isn't weakness; it's strategic patience. By embracing the power of "not yet," you can become a more thoughtful, effective leader, and guide your team towards long-term success.
Leadership Practice
As a way to begin practice “not yet” in your leadership, take time now to identify three situations where you may not be ready to make a decision. Perhaps you need more information, collaboration, buy-in or the timing just isn’t right. Now, consider how you will communicate that it is “not yet” time to take action or make a decision to your team and colleagues. Consider how they may respond then prepare your thoughts/answers.
About Athena
Athena Williams, Founder and CEO of Tenacious Leadership Institute, has been supporting leaders worldwide to become more tenacious for over 20 years. She has found that tenacity is the key to sustained leadership success in today’s ever-changing world. Through her coaching and leadership development programs, she helps leaders expertly handle change, complexity and other challenges so they can quickly get better results for themselves, their teams and their organizations. Take the first step to becoming a tenacious leader by scheduling a call with us.
