Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

Are you working too fast? Do you find you or your team consistently working overtime or missing deadlines? Do you have a high turnover rate? Have you seen a decrease in or even just low quality work? If you are, you are likely working too fast. In today's fast-paced world, it can be easy to fall into the trap of constantly rushing to meet deadlines and multitasking to get as much done as possible. 

Stopping the habit of "sprinting" through work, or life, can be challenging, as it often requires a shift in mindset and perspective. Making the switch can lead to more balanced, sustainable, and fulfilling work. Recognizing the symptoms of working too fast is your first step to developing sustainable solutions.

The Importance of Working Slow

Allowing space in our lives for reflection and planning can actually help us work more efficiently and effectively. The saying "Measure twice, cut once," is a reminder to take the time to think through a task before beginning, helping minimize the chance of mistakes and wasted effort. Similarly, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast," emphasizes the importance of taking the time to do things carefully and methodically, rather than rushing and risking mistakes. While American culture often values speed and multitasking, taking the time to slow down and think can ultimately lead to better outcomes.

The military saying "What does slow allow?" is often used to remind soldiers to take their time and pay attention to detail when performing a task, especially in high-stress or high-stakes situations. The sentiment behind this saying, is that taking the time to slow down and think through a task can help to prevent mistakes. The saying encourages soldiers to be methodical and deliberate in their actions, rather than rushing and risking errors. The idea is that by slowing down, you can focus on the task at hand and make sure that it is done correctly the first time, ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.

Working slow has several benefits, including:

1. Improved Quality: When you work slow, you have more time to think through a task, check for mistakes and make sure that the work is of high quality. This can lead to fewer errors and rework, saving time and resources in the long run.

2. Increased Creativity: Taking the time to slow down and think can stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving, leading to the development of new ideas and more innovative solutions.

3. Reduced Stress: Working at a fast pace can lead to increased stress and burnout. By slowing down, you can create a more relaxed and sustainable pace of work, which can improve overall well-being and productivity.

4. Increased Focus: When you work slow, you are less likely to be distracted by multitasking and can focus more on the task at hand. This can lead to better concentration and improved performance.

5. Better Planning: Slowing down allows you to take the time to plan and think through a task before beginning, to minimize the chance of mistakes and wasted effort.

6. Improved Safety: In some fields, such as construction or manufacturing, working slowly can be safer as it allows workers to pay more attention to details and avoid potential accidents or errors.

7. Better relationships: When working slowly, you have more time to communicate with your team members and clients, understand their needs and build stronger relationships.

Agile Principles and Working Slow

The concepts and benefits of working slow also align with the 8th Agile Principle: "Agile processes promote sustainable development...[everyone] should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely." Agile ways of working emphasize the importance of sustainable development, and promote the idea that the sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely. This principle highlights the importance of maintaining a sustainable pace of work, rather than trying to accomplish too much in a short amount of time.

The idea behind Agile is to find a balance between getting things done and avoiding burnout. In contrast, "sprinting" in the context of work or other daily activities is often associated with a short-term, intense effort to achieve a specific goal, often at the expense of long-term sustainability.

Overall, working slow allows you to focus on the quality of the work, and not just on the quantity. It gives you the time to think about your work, plan and make sure that it is done correctly the first time, which can ultimately save time and resources in the long run.

Engaging in activities that allow the mind to relax, such as taking a walk or taking a shower, can stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving. Studies have also shown that physical activity can improve cognitive function, including memory and attention. Additionally, taking a walk or spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, which can also contribute to increased productivity.

Communicating Capacity with a Client or Leadership

Leadership should be aware of the team's capacity and avoid setting unrealistic deadlines that don't allow for critical thinking and reflection. In the case of empowered, self-managed teams, you will have the power to adjust your ways of working to create a more sustainable work environment. However, this isn't always the case.

When faced with traditional power structures with fixed deadlines and scope from clients or leadership, it's important to communicate that overload is not just a personal issue, but a team issue that can affect productivity and quality of work. By effectively communicating burnout, the team can work together to find a solution and ensure sustainable development.

1. Use data-driven evidence: Collect data on team members' workload, such as number of hours worked, number of tasks completed, and number of defects in the product. This can provide concrete evidence of the team's current workload and the impact it is having on their ability to deliver quality work.

2. Speak directly: Speak openly and honestly with leadership or the client about the team's current capacity and limitations. Communicate the specific issues the team is facing, such as burnout, high turnover rate, and decreased quality of work.

3. Suggest solutions: Instead of just highlighting the problems, provide specific suggestions for how to alleviate the pressure on the team. For example, suggest hiring additional resources, redistributing work, or adjusting the project's timeline.

4. Encourage open and honest communication: Encourage team members to speak up and express their concerns, and create a culture where it's safe for team members to share their feelings about their workload and well-being.

5. Seek professional support: If burnout is widespread in the team, consider seeking professional support to help manage the situation. This could include team-building activities, stress leadership workshops, or counseling services.

6. Collaborate: Work together with leadership or client to find a solution that meets the needs of the project while also taking care of the well-being of the team members.

Conclusion

The idea of "working slow" is not about being lazy or unproductive, but rather about finding a balance between getting things done and avoiding burnout. By taking the time to slow down and think through tasks, we can minimize the chance of mistakes and wasted effort, ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.

It's important for teams to not only set aside time for critical thinking but also to create an environment that encourages and values it. This can be done by setting aside specific time for brainstorming and idea generation, encouraging team members to take breaks and engage in activities that promote relaxation and creativity, and creating a culture that prioritizes quality over speed. 

Agile principles promote this balance between work and rest. Pay attention to signs of working too fast and take steps towards slower work by communicating with leadership to find a solution that aligns with both the team's capacity and the project's goals.