The Power of Patience and Seizing the Moment

Lessons from Flowing Lava

In a recent blog post, I explored the overused and often misunderstood concept of "authentic leadership," arguing that emotional intelligence and visionary thinking are far more accurate descriptors of effective leadership. But what does this have to do with flowing lava? More than you might think.

I've been visiting the Big Island for over 30 years, always hoping to witness the awe-inspiring sight of flowing lava. It finally happened. The key? Patience, knowing the opportunity would eventually arise, and then, crucially, seizing the moment.

This experience mirrors the pitfalls of focusing solely on being "authentic." Just like simply being "yourself" doesn't automatically make you a great leader (as discussed in my previous post), merely waiting patiently won't guarantee success. You must be ready to act when the opportunity presents itself.

“You must be ready to act when the opportunity presents itself.”

The Lava's Lesson: Patience and Action

For someone like me, patience is a constant challenge. I use the phrase “I have the patience of a gnat”. I often fall into the trap of believing I have the power to control timelines and achieve desired outcomes. This inevitably leads to impatience when things don't go according to my plan.

However, in this case, patience paid off. After 30 years, I finally witnessed real, flowing, even bursting lava from a safe distance. But this story doesn't end with simply waiting.

The eruption coincided with a hectic period. We were back in Chicago, and upon our return to Hawaii, were deep in last-minute wedding preparations. Returning to the Big Island and driving two hours to Volcano was far from ideal. But the siren call of the lava was deafening. We knew this was a rare opportunity, and we had to act. Wedding planning be damned.

The scene at Volcano was chaotic. Crowds swarmed, parking was nonexistent, and restaurants were overwhelmed. By some miracle, we secured a room with a perfect view of the eruption. It was breathtaking. The raw power of the earth, spewing molten rock, was truly awe-inspiring.

The Parable of the Drowning Man: Recognizing the Opportunity

This experience reminded me of the parable of the drowning man (also known as Two Boats and a Helicopter). The man, convinced God would save him, refuses multiple rescue attempts, only to drown and later question God's inaction. God's response? He did send help, but the man refused to recognize it.

This parable perfectly illustrates the importance of not just being patient, but also recognizing and seizing opportunities when they arise. Just like the drowning man, we can't simply wait for our ideal scenario to magically appear. We must be ready to act when presented with a chance, even if it's not perfectly convenient.

From Lava to Leadership: Resilience and Emotional Intelligence

This brings us back to the concept of leadership. Just as patience and action were crucial to witnessing the lava, they are equally important in leadership. Patience builds resilience, which, like a muscle, strengthens our ability to handle challenges. This resilience, in turn, contributes to:

• Improved mental and emotional well-being: We handle stress more effectively.

• Personal growth and development: We learn and grow from challenges.

• Stronger social and interpersonal relationships: We connect with others more deeply.

• An enhanced overall quality of life: We experience greater satisfaction and purpose.

These qualities are hallmarks of emotionally intelligent and visionary leadership – the kind of leadership that truly inspires and drives positive change. It's not about simply being "authentic," but about having the emotional intelligence to navigate complex situations, the vision to see possibilities, and the courage to act when opportunity knocks.

The Takeaway: Patience with Purpose

Patience pays off, but only when coupled with the ability to seize the moment. It's not about passively waiting; it's about actively preparing and being ready to act when the time is right. This applies to witnessing flowing lava, leading teams, and navigating life itself. It's about combining patience with purpose, and recognizing that true success lies in the intersection of preparation and opportunity. As so many high school athletic t-shirts say “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation”.

If you find that you struggle with patience or taking advantage of opportunities when they arise and it is impacting your happiness, relationships, or career, coaching may be for you. Schedule a free coaching discovery call to explore how coaching can help you make achieve what you desire.