After a Major Decision, the Speed to Execution Matters

Leaders who are slow to execute a major decision undermine their own efforts. 

After the tremendous investment of time and energy to make a critical decision, any delay in execution reduces the relevancy of the choice. 

With every day that passes after the decision has been proclaimed, opportunities are lost, resources are wasted, team action is paralyzed, and confidence is lost. 

Good leaders act quickly to set the wheels of the team or organization in motion. They recognize that change is constant, and the decision was made with yesterday’s data, knowledge, and information. They seize the moment and the momentum to spring forward. 

Waiting for the decision to settle or to be further accepted is a huge mistake. Major decisions need momentum to gain a fast hold and full traction. 

The best leaders understand that they control this momentum and move to execute the decision hours later. Days and weeks do not cut it. There is simply no upside to waiting or delay. The team is waiting for directions to act, and good leaders provide them with the spark they need. 

In too many cases, leaders behave as if making the decision signals the finish line rather than the starting line. They conclude that the hard work has been completed, and all that is needed is for the decision to be announced and for the team to begin making preparations to act on it. 

But without the energy, momentum, and fast resolution to immediately begin executing a decision, it often takes weeks or months for the team to make real progress. 

The momentum to execute any decision lies in the leader’s hands. The enthusiasm to move quickly is felt by everyone in the organization or not. Great leaders create the momentum to execute major decisions quickly. Anything less is too slow.