Last week, I had the privilege to join Adrena Woodham multiple times. Listening to her talk was more than thought-provoking; it was also a powerful affirmation. Her reflections confirmed what Rashmi Kasat-Majakorpi so elegantly put: “Something I’ve been trying to hone in our chaotic world.” Strategic patience.
In her presentation “Power or Presence,” Woodham explores a subtle but profound truth: real influence doesn’t come from asserting control. It flows from being deeply, attentively, and authentically (If I may add) present. This distinction is spiritual and strategic, especially today when urgency is often mistaken for effectiveness. Here lies the heart of strategic patience: the art of waiting with intention, not inertia.
What Is Strategic Patience?
For me, strategic patience is not about passivity or indecision. It’s the deliberate choice to pause, observe, and move only when the time is right. It’s rooted in presence, the kind Adrena describes, not domination. When we are fully present, we access the clarity and calm required to choose when and how to act with maximum effect.
In contrast to reactive behavior, which pushes for immediate resolution, strategic patience allows room for complexity. It recognizes that meaningful progress often takes time, and sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is not move until the moment calls for it. And damn, that can be hard!
The Trap of Constant Action
We live in a world that glorifies hustle and urgency. Every ping, post, and pitch demands an instant reaction. But acting constantly doesn’t mean we’re acting wisely. The rush to respond often leads to missteps, burnout, and missed insight.
Strategic patience is a counter-move. It refuses to be rushed, especially when the stakes are high. It’s the discipline to gather context, read the room, and stay grounded even when others scramble. It’s not hesitation, it’s precision.
Presence, The Foundation of Patience
Adrena Woodham’s insight that presence is distinct from performative power gives us a map. Presence is about authenticity, deep listening, awareness, and attunement. It gives us access to a kind of quiet intelligence that constant doing often drowns out.
When we are present, we are not checking out, but we are tuning in. And from that place of clarity, patience becomes not just possible but strategic. It is not a delay; it is a choice aligned with purpose.
How to Practice Strategic Patience
- Pause Before Reacting
- Let space enter the conversation. A moment of reflection can shift an entire outcome.
- Question the Timing
- Ask yourself: “Is now the best moment to move? Or just the loudest?” Timing is its own kind of power.
- Observe Intentionally
- Be a student of your surroundings. Emotional, social, and situational cues can shape your strategy.
- Trust in the Process
- Strategic patience doesn’t mean giving up. It means giving time the chance to do its work.
Waiting as Wisdom
Strategic patience is a quiet, often unseen kind of strength. While it requires multiple soft skills like empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence, and the ability to read the room, it also demands a surprising amount of inner discipline. It’s not about slowing down for the sake of it. It’s about knowing when to slow down, why it matters, and how it serves the bigger picture.
This has been a fundamental shift in mindset for someone like me, who’s naturally inclined to act fast and drive results. It’s not about suppressing my instinct to move but channeling that energy more intentionally. Strategic patience is not passive, and it doesn’t have to be slow. It’s deliberate. It’s choosing to hold space for things to unfold, even when every part of you wants to push forward. Knowing that not everything can be solved by charging ahead.
Strategic patience, at its best, is about trust. Trusting others to catch up. Trusting yourself to wait. Trusting the process to lead where it needs to go.
