Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

Friday Edition: January 31, 2025

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published every Tuesday & Friday, we discover something crucial to help us on the way to winning at work and in life.

During January, I'll be writing on key areas you should focus on to make 2025 a great year for your career and life.

Be Fast Not in A Hurry

The Hidden Epidemic in Leadership

Did you know that 95% of executives interviewed suffered from "Hurry Sickness," which often masquerades as efficiency but can lead to negative impacts on leadership quality and effectiveness? This isn't just about money - it's about careers derailed by the perpetual rush to "get things done."

Learning from the Legends

I learned this lesson deeply during my early career days, but it was legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden who really brought it home for me. His principle "Be quick but don't hurry" wasn't just about basketball - it was about life mastery.

The Hurricane Effect

I have a story for you.

A senior manager at a multinational firm was notorious for her "rapid-fire" approach. She would pride herself on how quickly she could push through decisions and projects. Her team nicknamed her "Hurricane Sarah" - and not in a good way.

During one particularly crucial product launch, her hurried approach nearly cost the company a major client. Documents weren't properly reviewed, team members felt bulldozed, and quality suffered.

Wooden's Wisdom

Let’s go back to visit Coach Wooden's wisdom. He would tell his players, "If you're in a hurry, you're probably doing something wrong." His teams won 10 NCAA championships not by rushing, but by mastering the fundamentals and executing with purposeful speed.

The Science Behind the Hurry

Here's why being in a hurry can be a career kryptonite:

When you hurry, you activate your brain's stress response. Your prefrontal cortex - responsible for strategic thinking and decision-making - literally goes offline.

You're operating on survival instincts rather than professional expertise.

Think about it.

Would you trust a surgeon who brags about how quickly they can finish an operation? Or would you prefer one who works with precision and purposeful efficiency?

The Mastery Mindset

Being quick, on the other hand, comes from mastery. It's about having such command of your skills that you can execute efficiently without sacrificing quality.

Like a jazz musician who can play complex pieces at tempo - not because they're hurrying, but because they've mastered their craft.

Your Action Plan for Excellence

As always, I will not leave you without giving you a plan to work with. Here is my practical 3-step action plan to embrace this principle:

1.    Practice the "Two-Breath Rule" Before making any significant decision or starting any important task, take two deep breaths. This micro-pause activates your prefrontal cortex and sets you up for strategic thinking rather than reactive doing. The time you "lose" here will be gained tenfold in better execution.

2.    Master Your Morning Map Instead of diving into your day in a frenzy, spend 10 minutes mapping your key priorities. Ask yourself: "What three things, if executed with excellence, would make today a win?" This clarity creates speed through focus, not hurry through panic.

3.    Institute "Precision Pauses" Schedule three 5-minute breaks throughout your day specifically for quality checks. Use these moments to ensure your work aligns with your standards of excellence. These pauses actually accelerate your progress by preventing costly mistakes.

The Bottom Line

The next time you feel the urge to hurry, remember: true career success isn't about being the fastest - it's about being the most effective.

Speed without precision is just chaos in motion.

Your career deserves better than hurried mediocrity. It deserves the focused excellence that comes from being quick but not hurried.

Keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

I am a Workplace Multiplier

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Want to get in on some of the lessons I have picked up in my career? Get my eBook "21 Lessons I Learned in My Career - A Primer to Help You Become Better at Work". Get it here

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