Words I have heard many times. For many years I thought that I was productive and a great leader. On reflection the failings of working at speed are many, here are a few:
Don’t listen properly
- Don’t take time to connect with others. John Maxwell in Great leaders ask great questions refers to his lack of awareness regarding connecting with others. https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leaders-Ask-Great-Questions-ebook/dp/B00I829QJ8
- Don’t take others on the journey
- Impossible to collaborate when you are going at 90 miles an hour and often have reached the decisions before others
- You are seen as rushed, as if you have no control
- Take away from your team as you often taken on too much, when the team can benefit
How do you break the cycle?
- Take time off and delegate projects whilst you are away. When you get back progress will be made without you.
- Once back continue to delegate more and more.
- On the balcony, on the dance floor a key to adaptive leadership. Spend time thinking strategically about the overall organisation not just your area!
- Ask others to hold you accountable if you are going to fast.
- Work from home, so you are not call and the team supports each other, rather than coming to you as default
When you break the cycle of speed, you empower you team and you are far more effective leader. You create better connections inside and outside the organisation which leads to better collaboration and more success.