Choosing a Speed: Fast vs Slow

In business, speed is often hailed as a virtue. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made the motto, “Move fast and break things,” famous. The idea is that if you never break anything, you’re probably not moving fast enough.

Another compelling, yet contradictory, motto is “Go slow to go fast.” This approach emphasizes the importance of taking deliberate, measured steps to ensure that what you accomplish is scalable, reliable, and robust.

So which is correct? It depends on the situation! Speed matters, but knowing when and where to apply it is crucial.

Go faster when facing uncertainty or to gain a competitive advantage. Rapid experimentation allows you to test hypotheses, gather data, and iterate on your ideas.

Go slower when you want to create systems or protect the status quo. Careful planning and execution allow you to build scalable systems, make important decisions, and minimize loss.

Both mottos—“Move fast and break things” and “Go slow to go fast”—have their merits. Wisdom lies in knowing when to apply each one.

Have thoughts on this topic? I'd love to hear from you! I'm @RickLindquist on Twitter.