Move Faster

A structured approach on to how to create a sense of urgency in your organization is explored by Michael Hyatt (CEO of textbook publisher Thomas Nelson). One of his observations that resonated with me:

Unfortunately, in the 20-plus years since we began that venture, I have learned that there seems to be an inverse relationship between a company’s size and the sense of urgency embedded in the culture.

More often than not, small companies have a sense of urgency. Why? Because their very survival is at stake. If they don’t move quickly, they get squashed by larger, more established competitors.

The practical tips he suggests, some obvious others less so, as follows:

• Walk faster—show some hustle.
• Respond faster to emails and voice mails. Don’t allow yourself to become someone else’s excuse for not getting their work done.
• Get to the point quickly and insist that others do the same.
• Keep meetings short and on-point. Always insist on an agenda.
• Eliminate every piece of paperwork that doesn’t facilitate a specific outcome. My motto: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
• Be quick to change tactics. If something is not moving you toward your desired outcome, do something else.
• Do it now!