In today's fast-paced business world, there's immense pressure to achieve rapid growth. Venture capitalists demand hockey-stick curves, social media celebrates overnight successes, and competitors seem to be moving at lightning speed.
But here's what I've learned after 15 years of consulting: the most sustainable businesses are built deliberately, not desperately.
The Myth of Overnight Success
When we look at companies like Stripe, Notion, or Figma, we see their current success. What we don't see is the years of patient iteration, the countless pivots, and the deliberate choices to grow at a sustainable pace.
The Hidden Costs of Hyper-Growth
Embracing Strategic Patience
Strategic patience isn't about moving slowly—it's about moving deliberately. It means:
- Making decisions with a 10-year horizon instead of a 10-week one
- Investing in infrastructure before you desperately need it
- Building relationships that compound over time
- Saying no to opportunities that don't align with your core mission
A Framework for Patient Growth
Here's a simple framework I use with clients:
1. Define Your "Enough"
What does success actually look like? Not what others define as success, but what truly matters to you and your team.
2. Identify Irreversible Decisions
Before moving fast, distinguish between reversible and irreversible decisions. Move quickly on the former, deliberately on the latter.
3. Build for Sustainability
Ask yourself: "Can we maintain this pace for the next five years?" If not, it's not sustainable growth—it's a sprint toward burnout.
The Compound Effect of Patience
The businesses that truly win are those that understand the power of compounding. A 10% improvement each quarter might not seem dramatic, but after five years, you've multiplied your effectiveness by over 7x.
That's the power of strategic patience.
*What's one area of your business where you could benefit from more strategic patience? I'd love to hear your thoughts.*