26 Mar Patience & Fortitude
At Tandem Partners, we often reflect on the qualities that sustain leaders through challenges, big and small. The New York Public Library’s iconic lions – Patience and Fortitude – stand as powerful symbols of endurance and resilience. Originally named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the Great Depression, these lions represented the traits he believed New Yorkers needed to navigate difficult times. Today, their message remains just as relevant, especially for leaders guiding teams through change.
In leadership, Patience is essential. Patience is quiet, but it isn’t passive. Patience can be counted on. It places trust in other people. It asks us to exercise restraint when our first instinct is to take action, if only to reduce our own anxieties and fears. A leader practicing patience doesn’t rush to solve every problem but instead creates an environment where others can think critically and take ownership.
Fortitude is Patience’s partner. Fortitude is determined and courageous. It’s strong in stressful situations. It keeps trying when others give up. Fortitude doesn’t waste time wishing things were different. It keeps moving forward and brings others along with it. Leaders with fortitude make difficult decisions, stand by their values, and guide their teams with clarity, even in moments of doubt.
We see these qualities play out every day. A director leading a newly restructured team must have Patience – allowing trust and collaboration to develop over time. They must also demonstrate Fortitude – making necessary decisions even when not everyone is immediately on board. Leaders who balance both qualities cultivate strong, resilient teams that can weather change.
We also see this in decision-making. Not every answer is immediate, and leaders must resist the temptation to act impulsively just to feel a sense of control. Patience allows space for gathering the right information and hearing diverse perspectives. Fortitude ensures that, once a decision is made, it will be carried out with confidence and consistency.
With Patience, we invest. With Fortitude, we make progress. These strengths go hand in hand, standing guard together and helping us navigate through times of uncertainty and change.
Next week is National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
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