Patience is more virtuous than speed

“Do you even realise what kind of pressure we handle. Thanks to your cost-cutting measures, it’s impossible to get vendors. Please stop expecting targets now.”

Anushree Gupta sure was very angry when she slammed the door behind her. The glass door was of her immediate boss’s cabin reflecting her angered face. Though unintended, I became a silent spectator of this emotional drama. This makes me reflect.

What is common with emotional outbursts, cost-cutting measures and stress at workplace. They all are meant to give you a feeling of being controlled and denial.

Professor Rick Thomas of Bucharest University published a research. According to it, 85% people are on the verge of burn out. That’s a really scary scenario. The constant pressure of spending less and earning much higher increases risk of stressed out employees. But more importantly, it decreases profits. Losing right employees, demotivated task force and no frills on small thrills like office parties bring ultimately low profits at the year-end.

A survey done by United States employee wellness talks of falling into the trap of rage. Neighbour buys a new car or relative whose son did better than their own. Forget about professional competition. You can’t beat them all. Can you?

That accomplishment of someone else is not so well deserved in your opinion. You are hardworking, gifted and talented. Yet, the recognition hasn’t come to you as much. So how do we handle our emotional bursts?

A stressful person with resistance and not getting a cohesive environment to work is sure to blast out temper, risking not only one’s job but organisational reputation or image as well.

How to solve it and be able to make the most of it?

Three steps to ensure that.

Work on your self awareness

No, I am not talking about you going to various meditation camps. The corporates spend a lot on employees learning about themselves. There are many sites which let you do a basic free self-analysis. Google the words “psychometric tests”. Your strengths, weaknesses and what kind of impact you leave on others are key ingredients for your emotional well-being.

Know your triggers

Nikunj left the meeting even before it started. He reached sharp at 10 a.m. as mentioned. The boardroom was empty even after 25 minutes. He sent angry emails to everyone. Soon it was the joke of the day. So who was wrong here? Nikunj who followed time management? No. But people are designed differently and so are organisations. If something is way precious to you, let it be. It’s not everyone ‘s responsibility to keep you happy. Don’t let that become a robber of your happiness.

Postponement

Sometimes, not jumping the gun is better than hasty decisions. If you are roughed up or agitated, that mail or conversation can really wait. Instant gratification at times is the starting point of what should be avoided: dispute.

At times patience is more virtuous than speed. The key remains in finding when to use what. The best thing about it is that it is learnable.

The writer is a strategic advisor and premium educator with Harvard business publishing.