Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/5-1-1-the-importance-of-patience-for-decision-making [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Leadership for Teachers - Seneca Certified Leader](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader.md) › The Importance of Patience for Decision-Making # The Importance of Patience for Decision-Making CPD: Leadership for Teachers (by Sam Strickland), topic 5.1.1 ## The Importance of Patience for Decision-Making Taking your time is key. Do not rush decisions. ### Don't be afraid to decide ![Don't be afraid to decide](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-03/0549ad1b-6290-4d75-af0d-bf0b3f54ca9b/no-fear-.jpg) - Equally, do not be frightened of making a decision. - Temptation is your biggest Achilles here. When things are going badly, when you are faced with a difficult, testing or consuming situation, there is always a temptation to go for the quick and easy win. - Often this is not the smartest or best play and often, this will cause longer-term issues. - Often, the tempting play has unintended consequences that you probably had not considered. ### Waiting is good ![Waiting is good](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/5.2.3%20Radioactive%20decay/time-430625_640.jpg) - Sitting tight and waiting intelligently can be one of the hardest things to do but this is such a key trait of the best leaders. - Taking your time over a decision, action or approach is hard. It is unpredictable though and hugely powerful. ### Misguided expectation of speed ![Misguided expectation of speed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/OCR%20Gateway/speedometer2.jpg) - People often expect fast decisions, fast actions, for there to be a high-speed impact. - Human nature is to be busy, to work at speed. Surely if we work at steam, fire out lots of emails and key actions then we have done our job? - In my opinion, this is wrong, flawed and a sign of a weak or misguided leader. ### First obstacle - you ![First obstacle - you](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-03/bf7f8ee6-0e3f-4ae2-a7ed-a658087645e3/jumping-over-hurdle-.jpg) - The first obstacle to overcome when you take your time over a decision is yourself. - You must fight the inner mental voice that says you are being lazy. - Worse still, a narrative forms that you are being weak or waiting because you cannot make a decision. - Repel these thoughts when they form. ### Have a plan for waiting ![Have a plan for waiting](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/bf66f4ff-7a53-4db4-88bf-918d85034244/idea-logic-rational-.jpg) - If you are adopting an approach of intelligent waiting then have a plan, communicate this plan systematically and effectively, train people in how your plan works and their role within it. - The key is to have the strength of character to sit tight and believe in your plan and your approach. - Ensure that you hit your key milestones when you intended and stay tactical in your approach. ## Test yourself on The Importance of Patience for Decision-Making - Which of these is a key trait of a strong leader? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/be4ffe14-084a-46d1-877d-f1fd316b347c/section/00ad8c2a-b788-4972-9cb7-ad2786d6b963/session) - Previous topic: [4.1.1 Choosing the Right People & Team Beliefs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/4-1-1-choosing-the-right-people-and-team-beliefs.md) - Next topic: [6.1.1 Recap: 5 Key Principles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/6-1-1-recap-5-key-principles.md) ## CPD: Leadership for Teachers (by Sam Strickland) contents ### 1 Introduction - 1.1 Misconceptions & Key Principles - [1.1.1 Misconceptions & Key Principles of Leadership](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/1-1-1-misconceptions-and-key-principles-of-leadership.md) ### 2 Good Leadership Style - 2.1 Analysing Leadership Style - [2.1.1 Leadership Style - Questions to Ask Yourself](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/2-1-1-leadership-style-questions-to-ask-yourself.md) - [2.1.2 Leadership Style - Misconceptions & Advice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/2-1-2-leadership-style-misconceptions-and-advice.md) - 2.2 The Qualities of a Good Leader - [2.2.1 What Makes a Good Leader?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/2-2-1-what-makes-a-good-leader.md) ### 3 Analysing Yourself - 3.1 Understanding Yourself - [3.1.1 The Importance of Understanding Yourself](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/3-1-1-the-importance-of-understanding-yourself.md) - [3.1.2 The Johari Window](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/3-1-2-the-johari-window.md) - 3.2 Your Values & Dealing with Others - [3.2.1 Defining Your Values & Accepting Judgement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/3-2-1-defining-your-values-and-accepting-judgement.md) - 3.3 Personal Qualities: Being Reflective & Humble - [3.3.1 Self-Reflection, Making Mistakes & Humility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/3-3-1-self-reflection-making-mistakes-and-humility.md) ### 4 Building a Team - 4.1 Important Principles for Building a Team - [4.1.1 Choosing the Right People & Team Beliefs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/4-1-1-choosing-the-right-people-and-team-beliefs.md) ### 5 Decision-Making - 5.1 The Key to Making Decisions Effectively - [5.1.1 The Importance of Patience for Decision-Making](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/5-1-1-the-importance-of-patience-for-decision-making.md) ### 6 Recap - 6.1 5 Key Principles for Leading - [6.1.1 Recap: 5 Key Principles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-leadership-for-teachers-seneca-certified-leader/6-1-1-recap-5-key-principles.md)