Take it slow to Move Fast. A lesson from Napoleon

When my close friend received an email about a job offer, she couldn't have been happier. It was the job she had been dreaming of – the perfect next step in her career. The recruiter needed a quick response, so she eagerly replied. It seemed like time was of the essence.

Two days passed, and she still hadn’t received a return email, so she called me for advice. I offered to read her response and advise her on the next steps.?

When she tried to forward me the email, she couldn’t find it and panicked. Then she discovered it sitting in her drafts folder. She had never actually sent it.

She immediately started drafting a quick apology, but I helped her take a moment to relax and compose the right message. Problem solved. The opportunity progressed.?

Days later, when she was calmer, I asked her what she learned from the experience.?

She said, "When I'm stressed and in a hurry, I need to do things slower and check them several times."

Her response reminded me of a famous Spanish saying: "Visteme despacio que estoy apurado," often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. In English, it translates to "Dress me slowly, for I am in haste," I also heard it as? “make haste slowly” or “haste makes waste.”?

There’s a profound lesson here. In moments of stress and critical tasks, the impulse is to rush. Yet, it's wiser to slow down, do it right, and avoid hasty mistakes. This requires staying calm, intentional, and focused under pressure – easier said than done, right??

There are several ways I “make haste slowly” in my life, whether I’m at home, on the tennis court, or consulting with a CXO4 client. Try these three steps the next time you’re tempted to hurry through an important task.

• Breathe: Take three deep breaths; it might sound cliché, but it works wonders. Eliminate distractions, be fully present, and focus on one thing at a time.

• Intentionally Slow Down: Whether you’re typing, walking, or dressing like Napoleon, go at a slower pace. Be intentional with each word, step, or action. Remember the adage “Measure twice, cut once.” Just as you would double-check your measurements before cutting a piece of wood, be thorough and precise before taking swift action.

• Review: Once you’ve completed the task, review your steps to ensure correctness. In my friend's case, that meant checking the sent folder to confirm her message had left her inbox.

While it's crucial to "slow down to speed up," be mindful of the difference between being deliberate and procrastinating. As I’ve written previously, perfect is the enemy of progress. The key is to take swift action while remaining calm and intentional. Learn to master your focus.

As you climb your career ladder, each task carries significant weight, be it an email, conversation, or decision. Your actions create momentum, creating a gradual compound effect. Following a consistent process like the three steps I listed above can yield extraordinary results over time.?

I'd love to hear your experiences. Have you ever made a significant mistake because you were moving too fast? Share your stories in the comments!

#leadership #entrepreneurship #focus #momentum