A number of beautiful analogies exist that involve helping people reach their potential in leadership. Timber Hawkeye points out, “Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force them open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.”

This beautiful analogy is needed for leadership. Successful leadership does not consist of leading people all in the same way, because people are not the same.

The principles of leadership never change. People, however, learn and advance differently. There are those who pick up on the process quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. An effort to rush or force them into places or positions when and where they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone involved.

While patience is a virtue that most everyone desires to have “right now,” the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality of leaders.

The beauty of patience, when demonstrated by leaders, is seen when followers are encouraged to develop in ways that reach their greatest potential.