14 Oct Break the Link: Speed vs. Success on Your Team
When it comes to performance, speed often gets mistaken for success. We celebrate fast turnarounds, instant responses, and teams that can “power through.” But here’s the problem: constant speed eventually burns people out. If your team can’t seem to slow down—even during vacations or quiet periods—you may be dealing with more than ambition.
You may be facing a dangerous cycle—where employees become physically and emotionally synced to an unsustainable pace. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s an organizational one. And if you want long-term performance, you need to break the cycle.
Telling people to “disconnect” won’t work if your systems continue to reward urgency. Slowing down starts with the way work is designed.
Instead of pushing your team to do more faster, focus on the tempo:
- Redesign project pacing. Slow things down by giving goals realistic timelines instead of artificial deadlines.
- Eliminate reactive tasks. Stop rewarding fire drills and start encouraging proactive planning.
- Shift communication norms. Move away from constant pings and toward asynchronous updates.
- Cut unnecessary meetings. Create more time for deep work by reducing gatherings that don’t drive decisions forward.
You’re not just adjusting schedules. You’re changing the rhythm that drives how your team operates. Over-synchronized employees often look productive on the surface but the signs of strain are there.
Some signs to look out for:
- Anxiety during downtime
- Trouble disconnecting from email or team channels
- Working during vacation or time off
These aren’t badges of commitment. They’re red flags.
Regular check-ins can help you spot trouble before it escalates. If engagement is dropping or burnout is rising, it’s time to adjust workloads and reset expectations. Remember: a sustainable tempo supports both performance and well-being.
Breaking the link between speed and success doesn’t mean lowering standards. It means creating a culture where people can do their best work without running themselves into the ground.
At Talent Suite, we help organizations identify the behavioral drivers that keep teams stuck in overdrive and help leaders and their employees build self-awareness. So leaders and employees can find a tempo that lasts.
Success isn’t about going faster. It’s about setting a rhythm that fuels sustainable performance, connection, and growth.
Ready to help your team reset the pace? Let’s connect.