Patience Principle

The journey with others is slower than the journey alone. Here are the steps you can take to become a more patient person in relationships:

Prioritize patience as a virtue worthy of developing. Oft-quoted Arnold Glasgow stated, “You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.” In the long run, you will find that patience with people is beneficial to you. But you may not see a return right away.

Understand that it takes time to build good relationships. Relationships of any depth take time. The more people involved in the relational circle, the longer it takes.

Practice the exchange principle. Each of us thinks our circumstances warrant special consideration — people should be extra patient with us. Instead, put yourself in the other person’s place and be extra patient with him or her.

Realize that people have and create problems. When you decide to develop a relationship with another person, it’s a package deal. You don’t get to take only the good stuff and reject the bad. Try to give others the same kind of grace you’d like to receive for your shortcomings.

Identify areas where people need patience with you. It’s a good idea for us to know what ours are.

Soundview Executive Book Summaries John C. Maxwell "Winning with People"