The Power of Postponing: A Neglected Skill in the Modern Workplace
- DefiningU
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 21
By DefiningU™
In the age of high-speed decisions and instant gratification, one of the most underrated and misunderstood skills is the ability to postpone. Not procrastinate. Not avoid. But to pause strategically and to wait with intention.
At DefiningU™, we identify “Postponing” as a core Dynamic Intelligence Skill, a skill that requires emotional regulation, future thinking, and inner discipline. It’s not about doing things later because we’re lazy. It’s about choosing the right moment for action because we’re wise.
What is “Postponing” as a Cognitive Skill?
Postponing is the ability to withhold immediate response, delay gratification, or defer decisions while holding multiple variables in mind. It is closely linked with:
Impulse control
Contextual reasoning
Future planning
Perspective-taking
It enables someone to say:
“Not yet, because I don’t have the full picture.”
“Let me gather more information before reacting.”
“I’ll hold off until emotions settle.”
This is especially crucial in team settings, high-stress environments, or client-facing roles where the first response isn’t always the best one.
Why It’s Often Missing in the Workforce
Modern workplaces especially fast-paced, output-driven ones, tend to reward speed over strategy. There’s pressure to “reply now,” “decide fast,” “move quick.”
But:
Decisions made too early can be uninformed
Reactions made too hastily can be emotionally driven
Commitments made too soon can be misaligned
Ironically, mature leaders and thoughtful collaborators are often the ones who don’t jump in immediately. They pause, scan the field, and choose the right window. But this skill is rarely taught, let alone celebrated.
What It Looks Like in Real Life
A team member receives a rude email but chooses to sleep on their reply.
A new employee is offered two projects and requests time to review both before committing.
A leader senses team tension in a meeting and defers a major decision until a follow-up one-on-one is held.
A young adult in training says, “I’d like to take a moment to think this through,” instead of blurting out a guess.
These are not moments of weakness, they are micro-moments of strength.
How We Can Cultivate It
At DefiningU™, we train young people, especially those with social anxiety or rigid thinking patterns, to practice the pause.
This includes:
Learning how to sit with uncertainty
Understanding emotional states and how they fluctuate
Building internal scripts like:
“I don’t need to solve this now.”
“Let’s revisit this tomorrow.”
“I’ll take a few moments to consider.”
These subtle shifts build emotional agility, the kind of skill that makes someone not just employable, but invaluable.
Whats next?
In a world that’s always asking, “What’s next?”
Sometimes the wisest answer is: “Not yet.” Let’s teach our young people, and ourselves, that Postponing is Power.
🔗 Learn more about how DefiningU™ helps adolescents and young adults build real-world readiness through dynamic intelligence
🌐 www.definingu.com.sg/ | 📍 Based in Singapore
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