Fast + Furious + Caution = The New Formula for Entrepreneurial Success

I love speed! There’s an added thrill to getting where you want to go –FAST! As I was barreling down

Route 55 at 79 mph headed for a client meeting I was thinking about business – everything relates to business doesn’t it? Of course that includes driving and lo and behold:

5 blazing revelations appeared:

1. Straight shots, light traffic, good weather and high visibility are perfect for speed.
2. When it’s clear where you’re going obstacles move out of your way.
3. Adapt your speed to changing conditions
4. Passing opportunities may require patience
5. Change lanes and gears as needed

Sounds like great business advice too!

Moving fast, under favorable conditions, generates momentum and drives a vertical growth spike. When actions clearly demonstrate where you’re headed others will get on board or get out of the way. Engage patience and persistence when encountering roadblocks. Adjust perspective, systems and the environment to get to your end goal. Sometimes you have to shift gears! So you see, Success does Love Speed!

But recent events demand a modification to this credo!

During a motorcycle ride last weekend Ted and I passed 30 bikers gathering for a group ride: high energy, edgy and ego posturing. Shortly after passing them at their rendezvous point the throng caught up to our troupe. The first wave of riders passed in a burst of speed and daring, overtaking Ted & me, 2 other bikes and the 3 cars in front of them. Within minutes more than 20 bikes had passed. That many bikes charging ahead of 6 vehicles in a double yellow, no passing, zone is pure craziness. I was alarmed by their behaviors. What are they thinking? Don’t they get how dangerous this is?

Fewer than 5 minutes later Ted and I caught up to the group again. People, bikes and cars lined the sides of the road as voices shouted, “Call 911!” There had been a head on collision, 1 man was dead; 2 others were in critical condition. My head was spinning at the prospect of how far and deep the pain of this accident could go.

The lesson landed hard. This tragedy should not have happened; it could have easily been avoided — time to rethink my perspective on speed and revise the rules around it… Because in business as in life, speed can be deadly when recklessness is involved!

There are 2 game-changing insights critical to successful implementation of revelations 1 through 5.

1. Success loves speed when intelligently engaged.
2. Success hates recklessness, not risk.

Today’s Takeaway:

Ego-posturing, reckless moves and insane speed can be fatal when combined.

Today’s Maverick Move!

Take speedy steps to correct any reckless behavior you’ve been tolerating in your organization.

Today’s Question:

What are the consequences to your business of embracing recklessness?  Share in the comments below.