Faster Is Slower
Growth that outruns a system’s capacity can trigger delays and setbacks. Senge argues for a sustainable pace rather than assuming the fastest possible growth will produce the best long-term result.
THE IDEA
6. Faster is slower.
This, too, is an old story: the tortoise may be slower, but he wins the race. For most American business people the best rate of growth is fast, faster, fastest. Yet, virtually all natural systems, from ecosystems to animals to organizations, have intrinsically optimal rates of growth. The optimal rate is far less than the fastest possible growth. When growth becomes excessive—as it does in cancer—the system itself will seek to compensate by slowing down; perhaps putting the organization’s survival at risk in the process. The story of People Express airlines offers a good example of how faster can lead to slower—or even full stop—in the long run.
Observing these characteristics of complex systems, noted biologist and essayist Lewis Thomas said, “When you are dealing with a complex social system, such as an urban center or a hamster, with things about it that you are dissatisfied with and eager to fix, you cannot just step in and set about fixing with much hope of helping. This realization is one of the sore discouragements of our century.”5
When managers first start to appreciate how these systems principles have operated to thwart many of their own favorite interventions, they can be discouraged and disheartened. The systems principles can even become excuses for inaction—for doing nothing rather than possibly taking actions that might backfire, or even make matters worse. This is a classic case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing. For the real implications of the systems perspective are not inaction but a new type of action rooted in a new way of thinking—systems thinking is both more challenging and more promising than our normal ways of dealing with problems.
When to use it
A startup considering rapid expansion should evaluate if the growth rate is sustainable and if infrastructure can keep up.
When implementing a new software tool, rolling it out gradually to all teams may be more effective than a quick, company-wide launch.
In personal fitness, increasing workout intensity too quickly often leads to injury and longer recovery, slowing overall progress.
Environmental management: Introducing fast-growing tree species to quickly reforest an area may disrupt the local ecosystem and lead to longer-term damage.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
People Express Airlines
People Express Airlines grew rapidly in the 1980s by offering low fares and expanding quickly. However, this rapid growth led to operational challenges, customer service issues, and eventually financial collapse, demonstrating how faster growth can lead to slower long-term outcomes.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time when trying to move faster caused delays or rework. What limited the pace you could sustain?
In your organization, what metrics might indicate if growth is becoming excessive and unsustainable?
Which part of a personal project might become a bottleneck if you speed up the rest?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Fifth Discipline The Art Practice of the Learning Organization (Peter M. Senge)