Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential
Issue 6.14 - April 6, 2009 - ISSN: 1551-6571

In Kevin's Own Words

Speed Kills - Five Situations Where Excessive Speed
Reduces Productivity, Effectiveness and Success

You've all heard that on the highway speed kills. When you drive too fast you put yourself at greater risks of both being in an accident and suffering grave results if that accident happens. And yet, most people speed.

Our world seems to thrive on speed: from microwave meals to sound bites to three-day diets to overnight vacations.

We drink Red Bull or espresso, watch TV on our DVRs, and talk on our cell phones while we are doing everything - all in the name of getting a little more done, in a little less time.

And in our businesses and organizations we want more results in less time, trying constantly to find a way to squeeze a bit more productivity out of each day.

This isn't an article suggesting we move back to the "good ol' days," or even a case for slowing everything down.

I want rapid results too. I want to find ways to increase productivity and get more done as much as the next person.

The point of this article may seem counter-intuitive to you because in many cases, you can get better results faster, when you aren't in such a hurry.

As you search individually and collectively for quicker implementation and results, you will serve yourself best knowing when to push down the accelerator and when to let the engine coast - or maybe even apply the brakes.

Here are five times when you might want to rest your right foot just a little:

Speed kills creativity. For most people, creativity isn't like a light switch. So, it's tough when you call a meeting and ask people to share their creative ideas to a problem "right now". Have you ever spent a day or two thinking about a situation - and voila - an idea comes to you in the shower, while you're exercising, getting out or bed or driving your car? You maximize creativity when you allow your subconscious mind to help - and you must allow time for that to happen.

Speed kills problem solving. Teams often meet to solve a problem and, in the interest of efficiency, they move quickly to solution, typically assuming the problem is clear. And yet often the effort ends up addressing a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. More time spent clarifying the problem, and gathering the facts about it, before getting to solution will lead to better results, even if the beginning of the process may seem slower.

Speed kills planning. Most people prefer activity to thinking. And most confuse "activity" with "accomplishment." More planning is short changed, or not done at all, in the name of speed than for any other reason. If your objective is important enough or your project is complex enough, you will always benefit from time spent in planning - even if it feels like you are going too slow in the beginning.

Speed kills change efforts. Speed brings momentum, and momentum is definitely important to change efforts, but speed gets in the way when you assume everyone is on board, everyone knows what the change is and why you are doing it and more. Not everyone will get on board at the same time. Not everyone understands. Slow down. Communicate more. Answer questions. Recognize that some people need more time than others. Do these things and you will improve the results of your change efforts.

Speed kills dialogue. If you want to develop meaningful communication with others, it won't happen in the first meeting. And when it does start to develop, time and space are necessary for the deep communication and understanding that dialogue can create. There is a place for a text message or a quick email. But creating deep communication and meaning won't be created with those technologies alone. Dialogue takes time.

Notice the similarity in all of these instances? It isn't that speed itself kills; it's that speed at the wrong time can cause major problems. The key is timing, and remembering that many times you must go slower to go faster in the end.

The reality is that there's a difference between speed and rushing; between a sense of urgency and hurrying. As a leader and as an individual you must be vigilant to the differences, making sure you are patient enough to use speed wisely.

Potential Pointer: Most people think of speed as a positive thing - something that's often coveted and desired. Even in our 24/7 world where speed is king and rapid results are revered, there is a place for balance, and a need to recognize that paradoxically speed doesn't always get you to your destination in the most effective (or even the fastest) way.

Kevin's Recommends

Uncommon - Finding Your Path to Significance
by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whittaker

There could be a number of reasons to pick up this book.

Maybe you're a football fan and recognize Tony Dungy as a Super Bowl winning coach. (I am and I do.)

Maybe, more specifically, you are a fan of his Indianapolis Colts and know he has recently retired from coaching and thought it would be interesting to read this book in the wake of his retirement. (I am and I did.)

Maybe you read his previous book Quiet Strength and have been looking forward to this follow-up. (I did and I was.)

Maybe the title alone was enough - after all who doesn't want to live a life of significance? (It IS a great title!)

Or maybe all the football stuff puts you off, and as a non-fan you're actually thinking this book may not be for you. (Don't be so sure.)

Dungy was a professional football player and a coach so there are football references and occasional commentary, but this is not a book about football, nor do I feel that the as a non-fan you would be put off or left clueless by the references that are included.

This book isn't about football; it is about life. Specifically, it is a book about living a life that has meaning for you - and those around you.

In the introduction, Dungy quotes his college football coach who often told his team, "Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I'm looking for uncommon people."

This quotation surely led to the title, but it serves as a talisman for the entire book.

While the book can be read and enjoyed by everyone, the clear focal audience are men, and the underpinning of the book's messages are rooted in Coach Dungy's strong Christian faith.

Using that foundation he talks in quick reading chapters about a broad ranging set of topics that are in his estimation factors leading to a significant life, from character to friendship to education and powerful thinking to setting priorities and more. There also are chapters on fatherhood, being a good husband and others with a more male focus.

There are scriptures mentioned throughout, but the last section deals most directly with his faith and beliefs.

I found the book to be thought-provoking, inspirational and well written with a good mix of personal stories to illustrate the points - something we tend to want in a book by a well-known person.

The book is humble too - like the man writing it - he talks about is trials and stumbles. He talks about the hard times related to his teenage son taking his own life. You leave this book feeling like you know the author and that he's a real person - something else to like about a book from a well-known figure.

For all of the reasons you might pick up Uncommon, you will enjoy reading it. Even if your beliefs don't mesh completely with the author's, there is still much to learn about life, parenting and leadership from this powerful book.

I recommend it highly.

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