On my flight to Guatemala, I overheard another passenger talking about the struggles of a present situation they were working to resolve. During the conversation, I overheard, “we just have to take it one step at a time.”

In the fast paced world we live in, how often do we overlook the simplicity and necessity of this statement?

We want the answer now. We want the problem resolved quickly. We do not understand why it takes so long.

Leadership can fall into the same trap if not careful. It is easy to think the work should move along faster, goals accomplished sooner, and people respond more quickly.

Patience has not been one of my better qualities. However, visiting a number of countries in the Extension Program is helping me realize the need to take one step at a time.

My experience has been when a particular work starts quickly it struggles and often does not last. However, when thought and patience are given to the same work, developing each part of the plan, success is generally the result. A good rule of thumb is to take it one step at a time.