Go Slow to go fast!

“One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren’t enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.” –
Viggo Mortensen

I love this quote… Not only because it comes from one of my favorite LOTR characters, but because it applies to so much of our life, both work and private.

It also is one of the most import rules when coaching someone, and that is where it triggers me about “Transformation”. Because coaching someone is helping them with their desired or required transformation. And that can only be done in one correct pace… Their pace! Because their conscious might already want to change, but their unconscious mind might still need to figure out some things.

You just have to adapt to that speed. Even if you think you see what the issue is, think you know the solution. If they aren’t ready, they won’t see… and they won’t take your suggestion. Just hand them the mirror to reflect, ask the right questions about the problem and the possible solutions. They will get there! And be very successful because they did it themselves.

Same goes for working on Transformation in organizations and teams. All process and tools are usually quite clear, so the implementations can be planned. The cultural part however, can’t. It can appear as if there is resistance to the required changes, but it is something else..

For me ‘Culture’ has mainly to do with the behaviors we’re used to in a company or department. This is comparable with the “unconscious mind”, people are just not ready yet.… That takes time… and attention.
If you do that, it will be more effective!

And that is where the quote comes in again:

“Go Slow to Go Fast!