Fast is easy

Giving high performers raises when they ask for one (or are about to leave) is fast and easy. Coming up with equitable compensation guidelines to help pay everyone what they deserve takes time and effort. Which one contributes more to an inclusive and diverse workplace?

Shooting out 10 one-line Slack messages is easier, and faster, than writing one longer, well-thought and structured, message. Which one would you like to receive?

Just deciding to do things and figuring things out on the go is easy and fast, but how do you know when you’re done, or successful for that matter? Setting clear objectives, goals, and responsibilities in advance takes a bit of time, but at least you can look back and assess how it all went.

Always defaulting to hiring new people to solve new challenges or pursue new goals is fast and easy. Investing in your existing team and helping them rise up to the challenge requires effort and time. Which one do you think creates a healthier, more engaged, and loyal workforce?

Being busy with everything is easy and feels like you’re moving forward. Carving out, and protecting, undisrupted time to think deeply about hard problems is not and most of the time it feels like you’re staying still, or worse, moving backwards. But which one is more likely to help you reach your long-term goals?

Remember: Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.