It’s easy to believe that moving quickly means advancing.
In leadership, however, speed without clear direction often serves as a mask for discomfort or uncertainty. The urge to act fast can distract us from asking the deeper question: “Is this move truly taking us where we need to go?”
In one business I worked with, new business was vital as the existing client base was shrinking. The sales team was strong in managing existing clients but struggled to bring in fresh deals. To kickstart momentum, the sales director introduced an aggressive incentive scheme.
At the half-year point, when targets were being missed, he held a bold “shock and awe” meeting, handing out cardboard cheques representing commissions not yet earned. The intent was to jolt the team into action and reignite drive.
While the meeting was striking, it backfired badly.
Morale suffered deeply, and the gesture alienated many, leading to resignations.
On reflection, it became clear the problem was less about incentives and more about lacking the right hunting skills in the team. The failure came from moving too fast, bypassing the crucial step of pausing to understand the real challenge.
Shane Parrish’s train analogy captures this perfectly:
“Imagine you’re on a train headed for your destination miles down the line. Knowing you’re on the right track, you don’t jump off every time the train stops. These pauses aren’t delays; they are a chance to review your route and adjust your course.”
In leadership, those pauses—moments of reflection, difficult conversations, or even setbacks—are where real progress is crafted. It is tempting to rush, but wisdom often comes when allowing space for honest self-examination.
Before tackling your next major decision, write down the outcome you genuinely want. Especially when under pressure, ask yourself if pausing could bring clarity or new insight.
After the decision, conduct a reflective audit:
• Did your action serve the true objective, or was it driven by impulse or external pressure?
• What feedback tells you whether you’re aligned or off course?
Urgency is a constant in business, but true leadership requires the discipline to pause, reflect, and realign regularly. Progress built on purpose and clear direction is more sustainable and effective than any burst of speed that lacks focus.
Pause with intention. Reflect with honesty. Then move forward deliberately.
