The Quick Wins Paradox

Greetings, esteemed LinkedIn community! In today's episode of the #PathwaysToSuccess series, we're taking a deep dive into the enchanting world of 'Quick Wins'. Ah, quick wins—those magical unicorns that every new leader is desperate to capture. However, the journey toward achieving these wins is spread with paradoxes. You need to be fast, but not reckless. Rigorous, but not a micromanager.

The Pitfalls of Quick Wins

According to a comprehensive study by Mark E. Van Buren and Todd Safferstone, involving over 5,400 new leaders, the road to quick wins have five traps:

Trap #1: Overzealous Attention to Detail

Detail is good, but drowning in it is not. The focus should be on strategy, not just specifics.

Trap #2: Negative Reaction to Criticism

Criticism may be tough to swallow, but it is often the most nutritious form of feedback.

Trap #3: Intimidating Others

Leadership is not a reign of terror; intimidation never fosters a healthy work environment.

Trap #4: Jumping to Hasty Conclusions

Judgments made at the speed of light often lead to outcomes as harsh as a sunburn.

Trap #5: Micromanaging Direct Reports

Too much oversight suffocates creativity and reduces employee engagement.

The Quick Win Diagnostic

So how do you know whether your intended quick win is an actual treasure or a ticking time bomb? The authors suggest the following diagnostic framework:

Value

• Is the win clearly linked to urgent business outcomes, like revenue growth or cost reduction?
• Would achieving this win impress the hierarchy two levels above you?

Cost and Feasibility

• Can this win be achieved without sidetracking your team's day-to-day activities?
• Is it possible to achieve this without needing extra resources?

Collective Impact

• Will the team see their fingerprints all over this win?
• Can team members proudly cite their contributions?

Opportunity to Learn

• Will the process give you insights into your team’s strengths and weaknesses?
• Will you get a grasp of the dynamics of your team's working relationships?

Opportunity to Engage

• Will you need to seek input from your direct reports?
• Will you also need advice from your direct manager and peers?

Run your own diagnostic:

For each "Yes" answer, award yourself a point.

• 9-10 Points: Congratulations, your quick win is more like a sure win.
• 7-8 Points: It's promising, but it could use a little more seasoning.
• 6 or below: Back to the drawing board, my friend.

The Takeaway

Leaders, let's remember that in our quest for quick wins, we might unknowingly set ourselves up for quick losses. So before you plunge into your next 'big thing', pause, reflect, and employ the diagnostic above. Find out your next 'calculated' quick win that neither burns out your team nor traps you in leadership quicksand.

Until the next installment in our #PathwaysToSuccess series, let's keep the conversation going. What's been your experience with quick wins? Share your wisdom (or cautionary tales) in the comments below. Cheers to leadership that stands the test of time, not just the tick of a clock!