Go Slow to Go Fast

Those of you who have subscribed to this newsletter for awhile know that I counsel a deliberate, strategic approach to leadership. I’ve advocated for regular reflection and ongoing assessment. We’ve discussed the importance of diversity and collaboration to achieve both problem-solving and innovation; the necessity for regular communication to maintain alignment and commitment; as well as disciplined prioritization to focus on impact and results rather than activity. In a world dominated by the urgent and immediate, where we are constantly pressured to respond and react as quickly as possible, I counsel playing the long game. When our instinct is to just do something, I counsel a pause to think about and discuss what to do.

This approach can be frustrating for my clients because it all takes time. Time is the one thing we can never get back. Sometimes external events define our time frame for us, and we must fit our decision-making within the time we have. There is no question that an imperfect decision made in a timely way, is far better than a perfect decision made too late. Time is a real constraint that we must realistically operate within if we are to lead effectively. And therefore, so often, we decide that all the necessary aspects of leadership that take time will just have to wait until we find time.

We imagine that because we can’t easily find the time for reflection, deliberation, prioritization, collaboration, communication, alignment and commitment, that we won’t pay for it later. We delude ourselves. We must MAKE the time for these vital aspects of leadership. Failure to do so will cost us later down the road.

Time will be wasted as people pursue conflicting priorities. Desired results won’t be achieved when we have failed to put all the pieces in place necessary for success. More time will be lost as activity that doesn’t contribute in a meaningful way continues to be required. Frustration will mount as employees question the impact and purpose of the activities they are asked to undertake.

Perhaps, like me, you’ve found some extra time during the pandemic to consider things you haven’t thought about for awhile. As we begin to pivot “back to normal,” don’t forget how valuable that time for thought and preparation has been. It will be harder going forward to make the time to think and yet that time and thought and preparation is absolutely essential for effective leadership.

Perhaps your team, faced with a series of unprecedented events, has collaborated a innovated as never before. Don’t lose the value of that teamwork when we “return to normal” and it’s habitual, and easier, to just return to one’s silo.

Clients frequently complain about the amount of time they need to spend thinking as well as meeting and conversing with others in order to lead. This is when I counsel, Go Slow to Go Fast. Make the time now so that your team achieves faster, better results later.