Fast

Fast describes high levels of speed and energy.  Fast can be attributed to the speed of physical events, business progress, or even career progress.  As legendary men’s collegiate basketball coach and prolific leadership author, John Wooden, famously states, “Be quick, but don’t hurry”.  In his various roles Coach Wooden accurately applies this statement to basketball, business and leadership. 

From a business perspective, fast growth is important, speed to market is important, rapid career ascension is important, but none are singularly important.  Fast equates with speed.  Quickness implies speed with deliberate, purposeful bursts.  Successfully deploying deliberate, purposeful bursts leads to predictable, consistent excellence.  On the other hand, hurry refers to speed, but implies recklessness.
 
Organizations often want to grow quickly.  Rapid growth makes headlines, it feeds egos, it makes money.  However, fast sales growth must beware of reckless behaviors which may hide exorbitant expenses or poor operating fundamentals that erode profits.  Regarding careers, young professionals often want fast starts, a lucrative first job, early promotions.  With a goal of making a lot of money, a fast start with a healthy salary helps.  With a goal to change the world, a fast start toward engaging the specific mission is good.  But, without proper discipline and consistency, the gains may be short-lived.

Speed is exciting.  Fast growth provides immediate gratification of being successful.  But, what about consequences?  Hurrying toward stratospheric growth and excessive profits in financial institutions created the recklessness that birthed the financial crisis that currently lives in America.  Similarly, the explosive, high-tech fueled business cycle that rewarded mediocre business models at the beginning of the last decade, created fast dollars followed by economic weakness and spectacular failures in corporate integrity.  Being in a hurry does not sustain lasting value.

Being fast, as in first to market, is a huge business advantage.  To surpass the competition, win the next promotion, pursue academic endeavors, or build an organization, using speed is important.  Quick bursts as it relates to consistent focus, ongoing discipline and a long-term view must be at the core.  Then, being fast can create enduring wealth, maintain fulfilling careers, and make legends.

Being fast is an advantage,  but being reckless forsakes longevity.  To be a timeless champion, sustain a legacy and produce others leaders, “be quick, but don’t hurry“.  In other words, be fast with a focus on purpose, longevity and enduring value.

- The Voice

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