"There are three secrets to managing. The first secret is have patience. The second is be patient. And the third most important secret is patience"

Chuck Tanner’s words about management distill wisdom from years of leadership experience into a singular, emphatic theme: patience is not just a virtue, but an indispensable cornerstone of successful management. By repeating the importance of patience three times, he underlines that managing people, projects, or organizations demands a steady temperament, resilience in the face of challenges, and the ability to persist through uncertainty.

Patience, as Tanner suggests, is more than merely waiting; it is the active cultivation of understanding and restraint. Managers routinely encounter setbacks: employees may struggle to learn new skills, projects may stall, and outcomes rarely arrive as quickly as hoped. Responding with impatience to these hurdles often leads to frustration, rash decisions, and damaged relationships. On the other hand, patient leaders foster trust, team members are more willing to learn, innovate, and communicate openly when they feel their efforts and growth are respected, no matter how gradual.

Tanner’s repetition emphasizes that patience should permeate every aspect of management. It’s required not just in dealing with others but also with oneself. Leaders must tolerate their own learning curves, accept inevitable mistakes, and allow their vision to unfold over time. Long-term organizational change is rarely immediate; strategic goals mature through incremental progress, setbacks, and course corrections. Patience, therefore, sustains motivation and keeps teams aligned and focused during extended journeys toward success.

Furthermore, patience equips managers to see the bigger picture. Hasty reactions to short-term problems can undermine long-term potential. By exercising patience, leaders avoid knee-jerk decisions and instead make thoughtful choices grounded in perspective and empathy.

Ultimately, Tanner underscores that those who succeed in management are not necessarily the most charismatic or rapid in action, but those who understand that growth, trust, and results take time. Patience is the subtle force that enables enduring achievement and lasting leadership.