Trending
Leaders always seem to be in a rush. They are often working against tight deadlines with internal and external customers breathing down their backs. At least this may be the perception of their daily work worlds. I’ve coached leaders who can barely breathe as they share with me their routines and goals. I have heard comments like these:
“I can’t possibly keep up with these constant timelines.”
“I get a knot in my stomach from worrying how I can produce the deliverable by the end of the day.”
“Why do I have to rush when we don’t even have most of the data yet?”
“I wish I could take a break during my day to gain some clarity on which direction to go.”
Do any of these questions and thoughts resonate? Is moving at a quicker pace causing more second guessing? Many leaders are being charged with acting with urgency even when it can make more sense to take a more thorough approach. Rushing decisions or results can often set a team back from reaching their target deadline. So, is it always critical to hit the final decision or deliverable at lightning speed?
Here are five benefits to slowing down your leadership:
1. Creates A Process That Flows
To produce high-end results or fix a problem, it is important to know the steps needed to reach the finish line. So before tackling a project it is helpful to set in motion the necessary strategy. Leaders may want to consider:
- Clarifying the goal or issue. Identifying clearly what needs to be accomplished will serve as a compass point for each step.
- Recognize the stakeholders who need to be part of this decision. Leaving any of them out could topple the final verdict.
- Design checks and balances to make sure no stone is unturned in working on the deliverable.
2. When Colleagues Are Involved There Is Greater Buy-In
It has been proven that when team members are involved in a solution they are more likely to embrace the decision. Just think about it. How did you feel about a solution that was reached without you being asked for your opinion or ideas? Most of us would say that we had far less connection to the outcome. Asking team members to contribute their perspectives may take additional time but, in the end, creates ownership for everyone.
3. Stronger End Deliverable or Decision
Slowing down a deliberation can result in a deeper team analysis and evaluation. Many projects that seem urgent to achieve are not always the assignments we should be tackling first. When we rush to solve a problem that requires more research or exploration, we may end up solving the wrong problem. Instead of quickly knocking something out for the sake of an answer or a solution:
- Step back initially to see the full picture of what you are being charged with.
- Decide on a plan of attack with specific steps.
- Inform everybody who needs to be involved.
- If necessary, extend the deadline so that the end result will be superior.
4. Fewer Mistakes/Less Redoing
Another benefit to slowing down your leadership is possibly having fewer errors that will have to be corrected later on. How many times have you rushed through an assignment to get it to the boss’s desk only to be embarrassed by all the corrections that are needed? When we take a more methodical approach and build in time to proofread, we can be more confident that the deliverable will be accurate.
5. A Culture of Wellness Reigns
Perhaps the greatest advantage of all of leaders slowing down is the ability to cultivate a healthy workspace for themselves as well as their teams. When leaders of all levels embrace the concept of “time is on your side”:
- There will be more compassion.
- The team will become more higher performing.
- Collaboration will be the way to tackle projects.
- A culture of patience and clarity will take over.
How has slowing down your leadership brought you success? Need some help with slowing yourself or your team down? Just reach out.
Related: Self-Reflection for Leaders: How to Assess and Improve Your Leadership Skills