Slow Down to Speed Up: The Strategic Leadership Paradox Explained

Slow down to speed up? That sounds like an insane idea, especially in today's insatiable 24/7, 365 culture. ?In our world, timelines are shorter, expectations are higher, and pausing is often seen as weakness. We live in a busy world that is only getting increasingly more... busy. The worst trifecta: Complexity, speed and uncertainty. When you have little time and even less clarity, complexity steps in to demand even more of you. Put together all three--speed, uncertainly and complexity--and the toughest among us can falter. The solution:

There is a way to break the stranglehold of complexity:?Slow down to speed up.

You might be thinking, “It saves time when you move quickly!” But does it? Let me preface this by saying I am a self-proclaimed Type A hustler, a "get it done NOW" kind of a go-getter. It took me a long time to slow down, and it is still a struggle sometimes. But, I know first hand that moving too quickly ends up draining my time and energy, and ultimately creates more problems.

The truth is, speeding up often makes things more complex, consumes more energy and ruins relationships in the process. If you are always in a hurry, when will you find the space for new ideas and a fresh perspective?

Complex challenges require 90% inquiry and 10% decision making.??When we don't slow down, we run the risk of spending time and money reacting to symptoms versus solving problems. When leaders hit the pause button on action and decision making, they can have different and deeper conversations.?

How do you get there? Focus on these four steps:

1. Accept that your challenges are complex.
2. Pace the speed of your work:?Slow down to speed up.
3. Trust that solutions are always available.
4. Set the right attention and intention by being present and directing your energy.

Slow vs. Fast: Which Team Wins?

In case you are not yet convinced as to which pace is more effective, let’s look to some research. A Harvard Business Review?study of 343 companies ?found that businesses that chose to “go, go, go” without slowing down enough to be strategic about their business decisions ended up with lower sales and operating profits than the compared companies, which “paused at key moments to make sure they were on the right track.”

The result of the study was that the companies that slowed down actually DID speed up – they averaged?40 percent higher sales and 52 percent higher operating profits?over three years than the companies that continued at a rapid pace.

Bottom Line

Get out of the cycle of rushing through your days, amplifying stress, generating mistakes, and putting a strain on your relationships.

If you learn to slow down, you will move faster toward your long-term goals and priorities. You will build more meaningful connections and deepen your relationships. You will enjoy your work more. You will regret less. You will make fewer mistakes. You will communicate more clearly and make better decisions. Most importantly, as a leader, you will create a stronger and more productive and energizing team culture. Which we all know is needed now more than ever.

Let me know what you think: do you need to slow down or do I have it all wrong? Comment below.

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Ready to be the leader and boss you wish you had? Tired of settling and ready to love your career... and your life? Book a free minute clarity call?here ?and let's get you started.

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